eTV are the 2010 MTN Inter Media Cricket Challenge champions eTV takes the title in a ‘super over’ at the 13th annual Sporting Chance Inter Media Cricket Challenge proudly sponsored by MTN The ‘eTV Eternals’ name will make a welcome return to the Sporting Chance Inter Media Cricket Challenge trophy after they won the coveted title at Bellville Cricket Cl ub on Sunday 21st March 2010. With MTN being the new title sponsor, the six-a-side tournament proved to be bigger and better as teams representing most of the Western Cape mediagroups battled it out. The weather and venue again provided the perfect platform for a day of fun and camaraderie. Courtesy of Sporting Chance and MTN, the Mangwanani Spa ladies were on hand to give both players and spectators a welcome back, neck or feet massage while they sipped on their Red Bull from the Red Bull sampling girls. Radio Helderberg went all out to make it a family affair and provided a jumping castle to keep all the children entertained. The Bellville Cricket Club held their potjie competition in conjunction with the challenge, so it really was a wonderful outing for everyone.

Debutants ‘The Cape Argus Deadly Deadlines’ were a welcome addition to the playing line up and they showed promise in their first appearance at the challenge claiming third place in their pool.

The ‘Media Men’ and ‘The Rebels’, two outsider teams showed that miss-fit combinations can come good as they both put up strong challenges to finish third and fourth respectively in their different pools.

Clearly the Primedia teams of ‘Cape Talk Crusaders’ and ‘Kfm Kobras’ are taking the cricket more seriously these days as they almost lived up to their big name with ‘The Cape Talk Crusaders’ producing some improved results and the ‘Kfm Kobras’ becoming near finalists.

Despite living it up under their Bedouin tent and eating their speciality braai the ‘Good Hope fm All Stars’ unfortunately failed to take that style onto the field and walked away with the wooden spoon in their pool despite the assistance of newly contracted former Protea spin wizard Paul ‘Gogga’ Adams.

The ‘eTV Eternals’ were determined to regain their form of past ‘glory years’ and to show off their skills in front of their cameras.

The format played out wonderfully as the last match in each of the respective pools proved to be unofficial semi finals with the unbeaten teams vying to finish top of their pool and progress to the final.

The top of Pool A clash was between the ‘CCfm Life Changers’ and the ‘Kfm Kobras’, while Pool B was between the ‘eTV Eternals’ and the ‘Helderberg Hereos’. Both matches came down to the last ball as the ‘CCfm Life Changers’ and the ‘eTV Eternals’ claimed victories and progressed to the final.

In the closest ever final in the history of the challenge, there was a tie after both teams had batted their allotted overs. So the rule book was pulled out and a ‘super over’ was introduced... The ‘CCfm Life Changers’ had to bat first and posted a formidable 15 runs from their six balls. Step up the ‘eTV Eternals’ and ‘player of the day’ Gershawn Coetzee... requiring 2 runs to win from the last ball the eTV sports anchor smashed a cracking cover drive to the boundary to give his team the victory and the 2010 MTN Inter Media Cricket Challenge title!

The day concluded with a fantastic prize giving where the top performers and a few memorable moments were honoured with Blackberry’s, cell phones and other goodies kindly supplied by new sponsors, MTN. No team walked away empty handed thanks to the following prize sponsors: Distell, Klein Constantia, Monkey Valley Resort and in particular the efforts of Radio Helderberg!

The day was a great success and we look forward to next year’s challenge with great anticipation. Sincere thanks to all the teams who took part and for their ongoing support of Sporting Chance’s projects throughout the year.