The Clinton Moodley Cricket Academy (CMCA) Young Guns produced a clinical display of youth cricket at the GHS Andile Phehlukwayo (AP) U13 Cricket Festival 2026. Competing against 21 teams, the academy’s rising stars showcased explosive batting and disciplined bowling across two intensive days of competition.
Friday, 20 February: A Dominant Opening Day
Game 1: CMCA vs Ixopo The Young Guns started their campaign with a statement of intent, securing a massive 234-run victory. After being put in to bat, CMCA’s top order unleashed a barrage of boundaries to post a daunting 286-2.
Rorke Harris was in sublime touch, anchoring the innings with a brilliant 94 off 43 balls to earn the Player of the Match award.
Liam Jackson and Neil Bezuidenhout provided the perfect finish, both remaining unbeaten on 53*. The bowlers were equally relentless, dismissing Ixopo for 52 runs. Neal Kronberger claimed 3 for 15, while Caleb Turner and Junior Mnxadi picked up two wickets apiece.
Game 2: CMCA vs Northdene CMCA maintained their momentum in the afternoon with a 75-run win after posting 242-5.
Sohail Khan took center stage with a destructive 60 off 25 balls, earning him the Player of the Match honors.
Liam Jackson continued his fine form with a rapid 65 off 33 balls*, while Blake Vincent added a quick 36. Northdene was restricted to 167-8, with Rufaro Makomi leading the bowling effort (2 for 36).
Saturday, 21 February: Record-Breaking Peaks
Game 3: CMCA vs Grantham Park The second day began with a record-shattering performance as CMCA defeated Grantham Park by 288 runs, reaching a festival-high of 305-3.
Sohail Khan delivered a masterclass, smashing an unbeaten 102 off 53 balls* (including 8 sixes) to secure his second consecutive Player of the Match award.
Liam Jackson fell just short of a ton with a magnificent 97 off 44 balls, while Rorke Harris blazed his way to 62*. Grantham Park was bowled out for just 17 runs. Kyan Rampear delivered the spell of the tournament, taking 4 wickets for 6 runs.
Game 4: CMCA vs Howick Prep The final match proved a tough challenge on a difficult surface. CMCA was restricted to 49-7, and while the bowlers fought bravely—led by Caleb Turner’s 2 for 12—Howick Prep managed to chase the target to win by 7 wickets.
Tournament Honors: Liam Jackson Crowned Player of the Tournament
In a field of 21 competing teams, CMCA’s Liam Jackson was officially named the Player of the Tournament. His stats were a cut above the rest, finishing with 226 runs at a staggering average of 113 and a high score of 97.
CMCA Statistical Leaders
Top Run Scorers:
Liam Jackson: 226 Runs
Sohail Khan: 162 Runs
Rorke Harris: 161 Runs
Blake Vincent: 85 Runs
Neil Bezuidenhout: 73 Runs
Top Bowlers:
Kyan Rampear: 5 Wickets
Caleb Turner: 5 Wickets
Christopher Walker: 3 Wickets
Sethu Mthembu: 3 Wickets
Neal Kronberger: 3 Wickets
Fielding Excellence: The Young Guns were sharp in the field, led by Sohail Khan with 2 catches and 2 run outs. Liam Jackson, Neil Bezuidenhout, Blake Vincent, and Caleb Turner each secured 2 catches, while Rorke Harris (1 catch, 1 run out), Sethu Mthembu, and Neal Kronberger (1 catch each) rounded out a superb team effort.
Congratulations to the Young Guns for a spectacular showcase of talent and sportsmanship!