Chatsworth Hub retain KwaZulu-Natal girls title on a historic Finals Day

Chatsworth Hub retained the KwaZulu-Natal rain Schools SA20 girls title on a historic Finals Day in Ballito on 17 October.

The defending champions had all the pressure and expectation on them arriving at Ashton International College Ballito, with fellow semifinalists INK Hub, KCCD Hub and Kloof High School looking to 'knock them off their perch'.

What made the day extra special is the prospect of the finalists playing a day-night match, a first for a girls match in the first three editions of rain Schools SA20.

Kloof and Chatsworth got the action underway in the first semifinal, with Kloof - featuring two players who were in the Chatsworth Hub team in Volume 2, Aadya Mohun and Hope Govender - setting a competitive total of 106/5 in their allotted 20 overs. The platform was set by Kloof's top three, Jorja Noel (23), Johari Rampersad (22) and Shannon Cuerdan (26) while Ziya Mohanlall (2/19) finished with the best figures for Chatsworth.

Be that as it may, it wasn't enough to deny Chatsworth a place in the final as they cruised to 107/1, for a nine-wicket victory - Sinothando Matamela carrying her bat for 41 not out. With almost their entire Volume 2 squad, including South Africa Under-19 allrounder Shreeya Subbiah (who contributed a quick-fire 27), still available this time around, the girls in red showed why they are the team to beat.

The second semifinal saw INK Hub and KCCD Hub face off, with the former winning the toss and electing to bowl first.

Interestingly, INK was being captained by Anelisa Mhlongo who along with five others reached the rain Schools SA20 national finals in Volume 1, with their school team Dr JL Dube High School.

Be that as it may, Mhlongo's decision a the toss was rewarded, as a brilliant bowling display saw KCCD set INK just 32 for victory with Phumelele Bhengu claiming 4/2. The girls from the Inanda-Ntuzuma-KwaMashu area duly claimed their place in the final, by 10 wickets courtesy Lethokuhle Mbili (18 not out) and Nobe Zwane (7 not out).

In the Final itself, INK Hub won the toss and put Chatsworth in to bat. Chatsworth found the going tougher than earlier in the day - not least with Matamela and Subbiah already back in the dugout with their score on 13/3. Nonetheless the middle order of Sophie Read (26), Mohanlall (23) and Hailey Hampson (19) made crucial contributions as Chatsworth closed their innings on 96/9. Captain Mhlongo was the best of the INK bowlers, with impressive figures of 3/8 from her four overs.

INK Hub, for their part, tried their best but only two batters - Zwane (11) and Zukiswa Ntombela (17) managed double figures as they were bowled out for 75, to hand Chatsworth a 21-run victory and the trophy. Six Chatsworth bowlers were among the wickets, with Paige Clark's 2/9 producing the best figures.

With the win, Chatsworth will be seen in the regional Phase 2, for a straight final against KwaZulu-Natal Inland's champions.

See the best photos from the KwaZulu-Natal Finals Day below: