Goexch9 Login readers can look back at a memorable finish to the first European T20 Premier League season. Edinburgh Castle Rockers defeated Belfast Wolves by seven wickets at Malahide after Andries Gous produced an unbeaten 90 to guide the chase.
Belfast Wolves made 150 for five after being asked to bat first. Tim Tector carried most of the responsibility with a patient 84 from 62 balls. However, the Wolves struggled to build strong partnerships, and their total left Castle Rockers with a manageable target.
Castle Rockers reached 151 for three in the 18th over. Gous stayed unbeaten and finished the chase in style. He struck Glenn Maxwell for a boundary from the final ball, sending the ball towards wide long-on. The shot completed a confident performance from the Castle Rockers batter.
Tector Leads the Wolves Innings
GoExch9 can highlight Tim Tector’s important contribution for Belfast. He and Paul Stirling managed only seven runs during the first two overs, but Tector soon found his rhythm.
He pulled Trent Boult for six over fine leg and continued to keep the scoreboard moving. Tector reached his half-century with back-to-back boundaries off Mark Watt during the 13th over.
The Wolves reached only 76 runs after 11 overs. Tector remained at the crease, but he lacked enough support from the other end. His 84 accounted for more than half of Belfast’s total.
Boult Makes an Early Impact
Goexch365 Login users can also follow Trent Boult’s disciplined bowling display. The experienced New Zealand seamer made the new ball move and conceded only one run in his opening over.
Boult later returned for two more overs and used yorkers and slower deliveries effectively. He dismissed Lorcan Tucker after removing Paul Stirling earlier in the innings.
His final figures of two wickets for 21 runs played an important role in restricting Belfast to 150. Mark Watt and the rest of the Castle Rockers attack also kept the scoring under control during the middle overs.
Adair Brothers Meet in the Final
Castle Rockers began their chase with an interesting family contest. Ross Adair opened for Edinburgh, while his younger brother Mark Adair took the new ball for Belfast.
Ross started quickly with a boundary and a six. Mark then responded by keeping the scoring under control and eventually dismissed his brother with the final delivery of his second over.
Ross made 12 from eight balls. His brief attack gave Castle Rockers a fast start before Gous took control of the chase.
Gous Takes Control
Goexch9 Signup readers can follow how Gous turned the match in Castle Rockers’ favour. He began carefully but quickly changed gears against Mark Adair.
Gous hit two fours and a six during the fifth over. He then attacked Fred Klaassen and cleared the boundary to finish the powerplay strongly.
Castle Rockers slowed down during the middle overs. Belfast briefly created pressure by giving the ball to Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Humphreys, Gavin Hoey and Klaassen. The four overs produced only 15 runs, and Humphreys dismissed Smuts after a difficult innings.
Castle Rockers had gone 29 balls without a boundary, leaving them needing 64 runs from 48 balls. Gous then ended the quiet period with two boundaries against Hoey.
He reached his half-century from 36 balls and continued to attack. Four more runs came against Maxwell before Gous took 11 runs from Jordan in the 16th over. At that point, the result was almost settled.
Goexch9.com Login users can also note how Gous finished the final. He hit Maxwell for a six and then a four. The second shot went towards long-on, where Chris Jordan could not complete the fielding attempt.
Castle Rockers reached 151 for three and won the final by seven wickets. Gous remained unbeaten on 90 and became the central figure in the first ETPL title victory.
The final showed the value of strong bowling and a controlled chase. Belfast had Tector’s excellent 84, but their total proved too low. Castle Rockers combined Boult’s early control with Gous’ powerful batting to become the inaugural ETPL champions.