A sixth consecutive Boland League title and a top-of-the-log finish at the Varsity Cricket tournament are some of the highlights of yet another successful season for the Steinhoff Maties Cricket team.

Maties also finished third place at the National Club Championships.

Even though Maties did not reach the final of the Varsity Cricket tournament, the squad showed some great promise at this event and the performances of the team, captain and various individual players fill the club management with excitement for next season.

"Ending the group stages of the Varsity Cricket competition at the top of the log with such a young squad really pleased me and winning the Boland League for the sixth consecutive season almost surprised me. But the real highlight was the fact that we had 10 players playing first-class cricket for Boland and Kyle Simmonds and Niel Botha making their Cobras' debut," said coach Andrew Wylie.

According to Wylie the biggest lesson his youngsters learnt this past season was to take responsibility.

"It took some time to realise that the senior players who had moved on were not there to deliver match-winning performances anymore and that it was their turn to step up and take responsibility. There are no shortcuts to success; every year they face new challenges and they have to adapt quickly to ensure that the winning culture continues."

For Wylie the future looks bright.

"These youngsters had a taste of the big tournaments and will be hungry for success at this level. They have seen the opportunities available and seem set on making the most of them."

Captain Gerhard Erasmus will remember his first season as captain of the Steinhoff Maties Cricket team for the team's performance at the Varsity Cricket tournament.

Erasmus was captain of a team that consisted largely of second-year students.

"Because we are so young, there were many challenges. I think our season was generally successful and our performances at the national tournaments must not be taken for granted. I learned very quickly that I have to lead by example when it comes to fitness, training and playing. I cannot expect my players to do that which I'm not willing to do," Erasmus said after a very busy season.

"The Varsity Cricket tournament was definitely the highlight of the year for me. We played very well as a unit and the potential of the team was clearly demonstrated. We did not win the tournament, but I think we were definitely one of the best teams, if not the best team, there."

Coach Wylie is more than happy with the way his captain performed.

"I think Gerhard has grown tremendously as a leader. He was thrown in the deep end with a very young squad and really took the initiative and showed plenty of energy and belief in the players. His performance at the Varsity Cricket tournament was exceptional – he contributed with the bat and was tactically superb."