14TH ANNUAL INTER MEDIA CRICKET CHALLENGE Presented by Sporting Chance & proudly sponsored by MTN

Debutants ‘Expresso Rebels’ are the 2011 Inter Media Cricket “World Cup” champions


Unlike the Proteas in India the various teams from the Western Cape media got it right on the cricket pitch on Sunday, and it was newcomers to the challenge – SABC 3’s Expresso Rebels that claimed the 2011 title.

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Click here to visit the Sporting Chance Inter Media Cricket Challenge Home Page & Gallery

The morning show’s name will soon appear on the Sporting Chance Inter Media Cricket Challenge trophy after they won the coveted title at Bellville Cricket Club on Sunday 6th March 2011. With MTN continuing their sponsorship, the six-a-side tournament proved to be bigger and better as teams representing most of the Western Cape media groups battled it out in the “World Cup” themed challenge.

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 some welcome pampering while they sipped on their Glaceau Vitamin Water. The Bellville Cricket Club held their potjie competition in conjunction with the challenge, so the tasty smell wafted over the fields and ensured it was a day for everyone to enjoy.


The match format was a ‘Pro 4 over’ with two pools of 5 teams. There was little room for error in this quick format of the game, so teams had to find the middle of the bat right from the start. Teams were drawn randomly and the rule of rotating the batting order ensured all team members contributed to their team’s performance throughout the day.

The fierce competitiveness and critical tactical decision-making began at each toss, with crowd support, hot conditions, rotating the batting line-up and the ability to read the pitch all being carefully considered by the captains of the respective teams. No one was left in any doubt that each team was there for one thing… to win!

‘The Sport 24 Fine legs’ proved that practice does make perfect as their year-long training programme came good when they recorded their first ever victory in the three years they have been competing. Their maiden victory soon became a trend and in the end the most improved team fell just short of making the final.

Click here to visit the Sporting Chance Inter Media Cricket Challenge Home Page & Gallery

Debutants ‘The Top Billing Tough Team’ were a welcome addition to the playing line-up, but unfortunately they couldn’t take their renowned style onto the cricket field.

It was also fantastic to welcome the travelers aka ‘eTV Sports Fan Radicals’ who made the trip from Joburg to ensure they were a part of the action. Sadly they won’t have any extra luggage in the form of a trophy to take back, however they are sure to make the trip an annual occasion.


The ‘Community Kings’ showed that miss-fit combinations can come good as the players from Radio Helderberg and Radio Houtstok combined to put up a strong challenge in their pool.

The ‘Primedia Proteas’ unfortunately emulated their namesakes, our national team, as they failed to live up to their potential and will have to wait another agonising year before they get close to the coveted trophy.
Despite living it up as always under their tent and savouring  their spit braai, the ‘Good Hope G6’ failed to take their superiority onto the field and their elders the ‘Good Hope fm Masters’, despite their vast experience walked away with the wooden spoon in their pool.

The format played out wonderfully and the Pool A clash of the day was the ‘Expresso Rebels’ against the ‘Cape Argus Deadly Deadlines’ with a final spot up for grabs. The last match in Pool B proved to be an unofficial semi final with the unbeaten and determined ‘eTV Eternals’ and the vastly improved ‘Sport 24 Fine Legs’ vying for the final spot. In the end it was the ‘Expresso Rebels’ and the defending champions the ‘eTV Eternals’ that claimed victories to progress to the final.


In a nail biting final with two mainstream television stations going head to head it was more than professional pride at stake. The ‘eTV Eternals’ batted first and posted a formidable total, but it was beginners luck for the ‘Expresso Rebels’ as they comfortably reached the required total with balls to spare and with that became the 2011  Inter Media Cricket “World Cup” Champions!

The day concluded with a fantastic prize giving where the top performers and a few memorable moments were honoured with fantastic prizes from MTN, Second Skins and Distell. No team walked away empty handed and overall the day was a phenomenal success.

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 the Sporting Chance Development Foundation and their projects throughout the year

2011 participating teams: ‘Expresso Rebels’, ‘eTV Eternals’, ‘Sport 24 Fine Legs’ ‘Cape Argus Deadly Deadlines’, ‘Primedia Proteas’, ‘GoodHope fm Masters and Good Hope fm G6’, ‘The Community Kings’, ‘Top Billing Tough Team’ and the ‘eTV Sports Fan Radicals’


Click here to visit the Sporting Chance Inter Media Cricket Challenge Home Page & Gallery