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Durban left buzzing after inaugural Kingsmead Festival

East Coast Radio and Hollywoodbets Dolphins - The Greatest Showdown - Team photo

A successful Kingsmead Festival on Saturday, highlighted by the showdown between the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Invitational and the East Coast Radio All Stars, kick-started the eagerly anticipated 2019/2020 season at Kingsmead Cricket Stadium.


Chief Executive Officer of KZN Cricket Heinrich Strydom invited all major stakeholders to the event that saw families bask in a typically warm spring day while watching some of the Hollywoodbets Dolphins’ finest take on a mixture of East Coast Radio presenters, Durban-based celebrities and a few of KZN’s up-and-coming cricketing talent.

The day started with KFC Mini Cricket games as many young boys and girls were able to play on Kingsmead turf for the first time.

Then, what was dubbed ‘The Greatest Showdown’ followed as the Hollywoodbets Dolphins players got into the spirit of the day signing autographs, entertaining the children and making themselves available for photographs with fans.

The match was preceded by KZN Cricket CEO, Heinrich Strydom, coming to the crease to face a delivery bowled by East Coast Radio Breakfast Show host Darren Maule, to cement the ongoing partnership with the station.

The match itself turned into an entertaining high-scoring affair and was eventually won in the final over by the East Coast Radio All Stars who managed to prevent the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Invitational from chasing down the mammoth 179 to win in their ten overs.

The game also included cameo performances which included spectators, mainly children, to bowl to Proteas Andile Phehlukwayo and field for the rest of the innings after being selected from the enthusiastic crowd as ‘Super Fans’

A special moment was reserved for arguably the Hollywoodbets Dolphins’ greatest supporter when ‘Uncle’ Roy Moodley, who has become something of a Kingsmead legend standing alongside the players tunnel kitted in full batting gear, was invited onto the field to bat for his beloved Hollywoodbets Dolphins side.

“The original plan was to celebrate the extension of our incredible relationship with East Coast Radio in an unique manner. It ended up being a day that not only celebrated this relationship but also all our wonderful partners and loyal fans,” said Strydom.

“We created a very open and entertaining environment which allowed spectators to meet and greet their Hollywoodbets Dolphins and East Coast Radio heroes throughout the day. 

“We had guest appearances from Kyle Deutsch and recent Survivor winner Rob Bentele along with various activations from our title sponsor Hollywoodbets and other partners such as SAB, PVM, Gap Debt Solutions and Clover. It was topped up with a fancy car display from McCarthy Toyota and prizes from Hirsch’s and Fourways Airconditioning.”

“I feel like everyone left energised in great anticipation for the season that lies ahead,” he added.

For more information visit www.dolphinscricket.co.za 

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