Cricket
Cricket breakthrough for Benoni Northerns 1991, January 4
BENONI CITY TIMES, JANUARY 4, 1991
The Benoni Northerns first cricket side finished fourth in the Northern Transvaal Premier League, under the watchful eye of new manager, Graham Robey. Benoni, after a few lean years, managed to secure a sponsorship this year. They were offered incentives to finish in the top six, thus qualifying for the Super League in 1991.
The players responded magnificently and the end results spoke for itself. Seasoned campaigner and a captain, Paul Robinson, had the difficult task of controlling a mixed bag of players. However, the team, supported by Benoni professionals, Terry Marsh and Ian Hoffman, got it all together and pulled off their best achievement in years.
They are back (from left): Roy Appleton, Craig Roberts, Paul Robinson, Terry Marsh, Brendon Chalmers, Graham Robey, Andre Lamprecht, Neville Smit (president)
Middle: Ian Hoffman, Murray Speed, John Lachenicht, Bruce Nortje
Front: Gerhard Maree and Etienne Oosthuizen.
The East Rand clubs have been the Cinderellas of Northern Transvaal cricket for years, but this achievement has helped to put them in the spotlight. Marsh and Hoffman were the main performers in the league with Marsh taking more than 40 wickets and Hoffman close on 400 runs. However, when Hoffman was considered for the Northern Transvaal side he was used in substitute positions and was never given a fair chance to prove his real worth.
