The thrill of winning a final on your home turf is a buzz you carry with you for weeks. This is how the entire White River Cricket team feels after they comprehensively beat Nelspruit Cricket Club during the Ehlanzeni Cricket Association’s Premier League final.
White River started out the fairy-tale game by winning the toss and choosing to send Nelspruit in to bat first. This was a good decision as the hot dry conditions left the wicket a bit flat, making it difficult for the batsmen to score. All due credit must be given to White River’s bowlers who kept Nelspruit firmly under their thumbs. Nelspruit were only able to score 116 runs after being bowled out in the 32nd over. White River’s Ali Milanzi’s fantastic stats proved him to be the most outstanding bowler of the match; he claimed three wickets for 15 runs in eight overs. 
White River then took to the crease where their good form continued to shine. White River surpassed Nelspruit’s score in the 18th over after a power innings characterised by determined batting. White River’s Johan Haasbroek really shone with the bat making a huge contribution to the team’s six-wicket win.
This drumming of Nelspruit and the consequent win of the league has qualified White River Cricket Club as the ECA team to represent the region at the Mpumalanga Club Championships that will take place in Witbank on March 27.
The team which consist of Danie Swart, Ryan Tate, Jaen-Cornè Booyens, Dudley Hartley (captain), Neels Van den Berg, Andrew Haig, Herman Swart, Nolan Naidoo, Johan Haasbroek, Ali Milanzi, Natie Kruger, Andre Whitfield, Ansie Swart (scorer) and Sean Price are hoping to end off the season as the best club in the province.
"We have had a great season and hope to continue the good form," says club captain, Dudley Hartely. "White River Country Club is tops! We’re ready and raring to go for the champs."