Author: froberholzer

St Charles College managed to claim superiority in the shortest format of the game among the schools in the Inlands of Kwazulu-Natal by beating Hilton College in the One Insurance Eston T20 Night League Final.

Saints won the toss and elected to bat first. Looking to put Hilton under early pressure, the Saints got off to a busy start with Cian Fortmann leading the way with a well-played 32 of 35 deliveries.

The St. Charles batters got off to good starts but couldn’t quite kick on until Ntando Zuma strode to the crease.

Zuma kept showing his class as the top-order batter put together a mature innings of 51 of 46 deliveries as he made life difficult for the Hilton bowlers seemingly struggling to hit their straps.

Brett Cutting proved to be the dangerman for Hilton claiming figures of 1/23 in his allotted four overs.

Hilton’s innings got off to a brisk start as they set off in search of the 150 required for victory. Ivan Lockom showed why he is regarded as one of the best in Kwazulu-Natal scoring at a strike rate of 142 for his remarkable 57 of only 40 balls.

Lockem found support in the form of the exceptional all-rounder Ross Boast, who contributed 47 of 34 balls.

With Hilton well on their way to victory, St. Charles needed something special to edge out their counterparts, and special it was. Nathan Beaumont put his hand with the ball to claim remarkable figures of 5/9 in his allotted four overs. Beaumont’s exceptional spell proved to be the changing point as it helped his side to a narrow four-run victory to be crowned champions.

Summarised scorecard:

St Charles College 149/4 (Ntando Zuma 51, Cian Fortmann 32; Brett Cutting 1/23); Hilton College 145/9 (Ivan Lockem 57, Ross Boast 47; Nathan Beaumont 5/9). St Charles College won by four runs.

 Hoërskool Nelspruit proved to be the superior team on the day when they crossed swords against Hoërskool Secunda in their group stage match of the Mpumalanga League.

Nelspruit won the toss and decided to send Secunda in to face the music on a lively early morning wicket. The home side’s decision proved to be the right one as the Nellie’s bowlers made some early inroads with Davico Kruger (2/30) claiming one of his two wickets with Secunda’s score on only 34.

Alonzo Blankerberg shook off the early loss of his opening partner and worked hard to bring some stability to the Secunda innings, scoring a mature 39 of 84 deliveries. The frustration continued for the visitors as their batters worked hard to get off to good starts but lost their wickets soon after, falling under the severe pressure being applied by Kruger and co.

With Secunda finding themselves in all sorts of trouble, the lower order batter, Ceeja Webb, kept his composure and decided to go on the attack making a blistering 32 of only 21 balls. Webb’s important cameo helped the visitors cross the 200 mark as they ended up with a total of 210 all out.

Nelspruit’s innings got off to a solid start with both openers holding down the fort, laying the platform needed in their chase of 211 required for victory. Although two runouts caused a bit of panic in the home side’s dugout, the dangerman with the ball Davico Kruger capitalised on his form with the ball to contribute a marvellous 56 of 81 balls.

But it was the man of the moment, Luke Poisson, who showed his experience, sending the ball to all parts of the ground, breaking the back of the run chase. Poisson’s 70 of only 61 deliveries proved to be instrumental as it got the home side across the line comfortably, coming out victorious with 7 wickets.

Summarised scorecard: 

Secunda 210/10 (Alonzo Blankenberg 39, Ceeja Webb 32, Marco du Toit 30, Kian van Niekerk 25, Jayden Parrot 20; Davico Kruger 2/30, Nicholas Grobler 2/26, Vaughn van Zyl 2/39); Nelspruit 211/3 (Luke Poisson 70, Davico Kruger 56, Nathan D 30, Jayden Meyer 28; Nathan Ellis 1/33). Nelspruit won by seven wickets. 

The Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool of Pretoria proved to be too good on home soil for their long-time rivals, Hoërskool Waterkloof when they met in their round-robin clash of the Titans A-league on Saturday.

Waterkloof won the toss and decided to bat first. Looking to put a competitive score on the board, Waterkloof found themselves in some early trouble, losing a wicket of just the second ball of the game.

Divan Behrens (24, 48b) joined Wian Ruthen (39, 34b) as the pair grafted hard to recover from the early loss.

Ruthen and Behrens were able to put together a solid partnership of 64 runs before Ruthen fell victim to the impressive Petrus Rautenbach (3/40) with his score on 39 of only 34 deliveries.

Ruthen departed not long after and the responsibility fell on the shoulders of Beukes van der Berg to get his team to a competitive total.

Van der Berg kept his composure and with wickets falling all around him he managed to notch up a well-played half-century scoring 56 of 76 balls before he was sent back to the pavilion by Andru van Zyl (3/41). With the Affie attack, led by Divan de Villiers (3/22), applying continuous pressure, Waterkloof lost wickets on a regular basis to end up with a subpar total of 159/10.

The Affie batters too found it difficult to score with Waterkloof fighting back strongly with the ball and soon Tristan Luus (2/22) got the breakthrough the Klofies were after claiming two quick wickets. However, Jorich van Schalkwyk showed his class, knuckling down to bring up a classy half-century, making 57 of 95 balls.

Van Schalkwyk was well supported by his middle-order companion Ruben Groenewald, who too brought up his half-century, scoring at less than a run a ball for his 53 (51b) before both Affie batters were sent back to the changing room.

Luus found support with the ball from Marcus Bakker who also claimed two scalps for 34 runs, but it was deemed too late as the home side got over the line comfortably claiming a significant victory, and coming out on top with five wickets.

Menlopark got the better of Cornwall Hill College in their round-robin clash.

Menlo won the toss and elected to wield the willow first. After getting off to a rocky start, opening batsman Dian van Zyl knuckled down to accumulate and knock the ball around for a well-played 39 of 74 deliveries. The Menlo batters continued to get good starts but good not capitalize as they lost wickets just as it seemed like a partnership started to brew.

With their team somewhat in trouble the two lower-order batters in the forms of Pierre de Villiers (36, 39b) and Ben Strydom (33,30b) strode to the crease. The pair’s positive batting allowed them to start scoring more freely towards the back end of the innings as they guided Menlo to a reasonable total of 227 all out.

Cornwall Hill got off to a reasonably good start in their search for the 228 runs required for victory. R. Herselman grafted hard for his 24 of 49 balls to lay a solid platform for the batters to come. Although, after his departure things went pear-shaped for the men from Cornwall as they lost wickets in clusters.

Steve Stolk proved to be the dangerman with the ball in hand, tearing through the Cornwall top order to claim remarkable figures of 4/19.

T. de Klerk (40, 65b) and J. Jansen (36, 37b) batted nicely to get their team back on track but it was deemed not to be enough as Cornwall’s remaining batters were bundled out for a meagre 151, handing Menlopark a convincing win of 76 runs.

Summarised scorecards:

Waterkloof 159/10 (Beukes van der Berg 56, Wian Ruthven 39, Divan Behrens 24; Divan de Villiers 3/22, Petrus Rautenbach 3/40, Andru van Zyl 3/41); Affies 163/5 (Jorich van Schalkwyk 57, Ruben Groenewald 53; Tristan Luus 2/22, Marcus Bakker 2/34). Affies won by five wickets.

Menlopark 227/10 (Dian van Zyl 39, Pierre de Villiers 36, Ben Strydom 33, GN van Zyl 26, Matt van der Westhuizen 26; J. Jansen 3/26, R. Herselman 3/34); Cornwall Hill College 151/10 (T. de Klerk 40, J. Jansen 36, R. Herselman 24; Steve Stolk 4/19, GN van Zyl 2/36). Menlopark won by 76 runs.

Transvalia managed to bounce back after their defeat to Dr Malan last week. The team from Vander Bijl were put in to bat first by the visiting Hoërskool Driehoek. 

Transvalia got off to a good start after losing an early wicket. Joggie Malherbe (86, 97b) and the in-form southpaw, Rico Fourie (82, 75b) laid down the law as the pair put the Driehoek bowlers under severe pressure with a magnificent 145-run partnership for the second wicket, before Fourie was sent back to the changing room.

From there it seemed that scoring became easier, as the Transvalia batters capitalized on the solid foundation laid by the top order.

Jarid Francis rubbed more salt into Driehoeks’ wounds as he teed off to make a ridiculous 126 of just 49 deliveries as the power hitters’ innings helped his team to a total of 403/6 in their allotted 50 overs.

In the midst of the chaos, Enrico Farinha stood out with the ball for Driehoek. Farinha bagged figures of 3/69, including the two big scalps of Fourie and Malherbe.

With their backs against the wall, the Driehoek batters struggled to put together any partnerships as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Mjee Roets was the danger man for the home side as he ran through Driehoeks’ defences to walk away with impressive figures of 5/26.

Farinha (12,30b) once again showed his fighting spirit with the bat, but soon fell victim to the continuous pressure applied by the Tranvalia attack as Driehoek were restricted to a misly 65 all out, handing the home side a mammoth 338 run victory.

Dr Malan continued their impressive form in the league thus far as they came out on top against Heidelberg Volksool.

Volkies won the toss and elected to bat first. Matthew Wentzel (40, 60b) and Anrich Hanekom (39, 76b) got the visitors off to a good start with an opening partnership of 92 runs. From there it seemed to go a bit pair shaped for the side from Heidelberg as they lost wickets at a rapid pace.

Dewald Erasmus (3/25) and Tristan Ashwin (3/22) were at the forefront of the onslaught as the pair bagged six wickets between them. Albie Botha steadied a sinking Volkskool ship with a well-played 38 of 46 deliveries as he helped his team reach a total of 197 all out.

Dr Malan seemed to be batting on a different pitch as they got off to a comfortable start in search of the 198 runs required for victory. Juan Jardin looked composed at the crease as he top-scored with 57 coming off a run-a-ball. His partner in crime, Luhan Roux looked equally comfortable as he too notched up a well-played 55 of 66 balls before he retired hurt.

Tristan Ashwin backed up his suburb bowling spell with a very good cameo of 26 from 76 balls, helping his side cross the line comfortably to bag a five-wicket victory at home.

Summarised scorecards:

Transvalia 403/6 (Jarod Francis 126*, Joggie Malherbe 86, Rico Fourie 82, Nandus Mclean 32; Enrico Farinha 3/69, Jonothan Thomas 2/81); Driehoek 65/10 (Enrico Farinha 12; Mjee Roets 5/26, Kyle Cutler 3/5, Dylan Steinmann 2/18). Transvalia won by 338 runs.

Heidelberg Volkskool 197/10 (Matthew Wentzel 40, Anrich Hanekom 39, Albie Botha 38; Dewald Erasmus 3/25, Tristan Ashwin 3/22, Luka Pretorius 2/33); Dr Malan 198/5 (Juan Jardin 57, Luhan Roux 55, Tristan Ashwin 26, Keagan Meyer 20; Jarron Erasmus 1/18) Dr. Malan won by five wickets. 

 

Hoërskool Pietersburg continued their charge to the title by beating Phalaborwa Hub convincingly in their round-robin clash of the Limpopo Super League.  

Pietersburg won the toss and opted to bat first. Making use of home ground conditions the Pietie batters got off to a solid start. Michael Nel (30, 48b) and Philip Weterman (22, 38b) laid the platform for a potentially big first innings total before they were both sent back to the changing room.

The in-form Nicholaas Oerlemans then strode to the crease to notch up yet another marvellous half-century, accumulating 53 of 55 deliveries. This set the stage for Oerlemans’ destructive colleague, Zandre van Rooyen, to send the ball to all parts of the ground with his vital contribution of 54 of only 38 balls.

Van Rooyens’ destructive innings helped the Pieties reach a very competitive total of 263 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs.

It was then Van Rooyens’ turn with the ball as the all-rounder stormed in to create havoc among the Phalaborwa batters as he managed to have them in early trouble with figures of 3/21. Winston Thati proved to be the team from Phalaborwa stalwart. Thati top scored with a mature 33 of 46 balls to go with his impressive figures of 3 for 55 with the ball.

Although, it proved to be in vain as, Michael Nel got in on the action as well with impressive figures of his own, claiming three scalps for 27 runs. Van Rooyen and Nel’s onslaught with the ball helped the Pieties bundle out the Phalaborwa side for a meagre 102 runs, claiming yet another convincing win by 161 runs.

Bochum continued their rich vein of form as they came out on top against a young Merensky side. The team from Polokwane also decided to bat first. Kamagelo Merema stood out with willow as the middle order batter contributed 64 runs from 77 deliveries.

Sello Mabitsela (35, 35b) and Mochau Molema (22, 26b) delivered vital contributions to help their side reach a first innings total of 202 all out.

The ever-impressive, Luka Heinlein, shone with the ball for the side from Tzaneen as he bagged figures of 4/39 in his allotted ten overs.

Bochum followed up their solid performance with the bat with a suburb bowling display, putting the young Merensky batters under severe pressure. Xander Schoeman showed his composure with the bat scoring 33 from 83 deliveries to go with wonderful bowling figures of 4/23 in six overs.

Schoeman’s fightback was deemed to be in vain as the Bochum bowlers continued their continued barrage of line and length bowling, led by Mahlodi Sekuba (2/14), to bundle the Tzaneen side out for only 113, continuing their march to the title with an 89 run victory.

Ben Vorster closed out an all-important victory against a struggling Nkowankowa side. The Vossies followed the trend and decided to set Nkowankowa a total. The senior man of the side, Ruben Vosloo, found some form as the opening batter accumulated a classy 66 from just 59 deliveries.

With the support from the in-form, Tristan Buglass (51, 60b) who brought up his third half-century in the league, and the destructive Gideon Goosen (51, 37b) the Vossies managed to make their way to an imposing total of 309 all out.

With their backs against the wall, the Nkowankowa batter tried valiantly with Nhlalala Malungani (45, 38b) and Amukelani Mushena fighting hard to keep their team in the game with solid contributions.

But a great display of swing bowling from Goosen (3/13) and support from Aiden van Straaten (2/27) put the final nail in the coffin as the last Nkowankowa wicket fell with the score on only 109, handing the Vossies a mammoth victory of 200 runs.

Summarised Scorecards: 

Pietersburg 263/7 ( Zandre van Rooyen 54, Nicholaas Oerlemans 53, Michael Nel 30, Philip Weterman 22, Zandre Hatting 21; Winston Thati 3/55, Teddy Khoza 2/46); Phalaborwa 102/10 (Winston Thati 33; Van Rooyen 3/21, Michael Nel 3/27, Juan Rademeyer 2/4). Pietersburg won by 161 runs.

Bochum 202/10 (Kamagelo Morema 64, Sello Mabitsela 35, Mochau Molema 22; Luka Heinlein 4/39, Xander Schoeman 4/23); Merensky 113/10 (Xander Schoeman 33, Maan Mistry 25; Mahlodi Sekuba 2/14, Masilo Moremi 2/26, Kamagelo Morema 2/28, Thato Masasane 2/30). Bochum won by 89 runs.

Ben Vorster 309/10 (Ruben Vosloo 66, Tristan Buglass 51, Gideon Goosen 51, Njabulo Maseko 26; Nhlalala Malungani 4/65, Ntshunxelo Malangana 2/46, Tracey Shivambu 2/68); Nkowankowa 109/10 (Nhlalala Malungani 45, Amukelani Mushwena 22; Gideon Goosen 3/13, Aiden van Straate 2/27, Njabulo Maseko 2/28, Ruben Vosloo 2/30). Ben Vorster won by 200 runs.

 

Oos-Moot managed to clinch a nail bitter on home soil against long-time rivals Hoërskool Wonderboom in their round-robin encounter of the Titans league on Saturday.

Wonderboom won the toss and decided they would like to bat first. The visitors got off to a troublesome start, losing two early wickets in quick succession.

Carlo Schmal brought some calm to the storm as he steadied the ship with a top-class half-century, scoring 59 of only 44 deliveries at an impressive strike rate of 134.

He was later joined by Divan Schmal, who joined the party with a half-century of his own scoring at a similar rate with his 57 coming from just 49 balls.

For the Osies, it was Stian Oosthuizen who proved vital with the ball as the opening bowler walked away with impressive figures of 3/27 in 6.1 overs. Oosthuizen was well supported by his counterparts in the form of Divan Potgieter (2/15) and Jayden Smith (2/69) as the trio’s efforts restricted the visitors to 217 all out.

Oos-Moot too got off to a subdued start with the Wonderboom bowlers making some early inroads before Stephan Pretorius got the Osie chase back on track with a well-played 47 from 43 deliveries before he had to head back to the pavilion.

With Pretorius’s departure, the Wonderboom attack found a second breath to have the home side on the ropes at 170 for 9 thanks to a remarkable bowling display from Eduan Kritzinger who bagged five scalps for just 21 runs.

Although, Stian Oosthuizen had other ideas. Oosthuizen followed up his strong bowling display with a fantastic, math-winning knock of 51 from 66 balls to secure a nail-biting win of one wicket for the home side as they got over the line with 219/9.

Summarised Scorecards:

Wonderboom 217/10 (Carlo Schmal 59, Divan Schmal 57; Stian Oosthuizen 3/27, Divan Potgieter 2/15, Jayden Smith 2/69); Oos-Moot 219/9 (Stian Oosthuizen 51*, Stephan Pretorius 47, Jaen de Bruyn 22; Eduan Kritzinger 5/21, Tyron Janse van Noordwyk 3/52). Oos-Moot won by one wicket.

St Charles College had to sweat hard in their One Insurance Eston Schools T20 Night Series Semi-Final against Westville Boys High on Thursday night.

St Charles won the toss and decided to wield the willow first. It was soon apparent that the conditions were not as easy as it had been for the earlier semi-final between, counterparts, Hilton and Maritzburg College, as the side from Pietermaritzburg got off to a prolonged start.

Sam Brown laid the platform for the St Charles side with a well-constructed 30 of 31 deliveries at the top of the order before he was sent back to the pavilion by the impressive Blake Simpson, who proved to be the dangerman with the ball for Westville, claiming tremendous figures of 3/12 in his allotted four overs.

Matthew Urquhart (28, 32b) and Marcell Wellman (25, 26b), both made significant contributions to help the Pietermaritzburg side to what seemed to be a below-par first innings total of 124/4 in their 20 overs.

The Westville innings proved that conditions were extremely difficult for the batters as they struggled in their chase of 125 to book a place in the final against Hilton College. Losing wickets at an alarming rate it was up to Max Robertson, who seemed to be batting on a different pitch, to try and get his team across the line.

Robertson managed to smash the ball to all parts of the ground in his 38 of only 21 deliveries before he fell victim to Cian Fortmann (2/21).

Fortmann enjoyed the support from his colleagues, Nathan Beaumont (2/20) and Brandon Sunguroo (2/23), as the trio broke the backbone of the Westville batting lineup, ensuring that the men from Westville were bundled out for a meagre 106 all out, as the Pietermaritzburgers booked their place in Thursday Night’s final against Hilton College.

Summarised Scorecard

St Charles College 124/4 (Sam Brown 30, Matthew Urquhart 28, Marcell Wellman 25; Blake Simpson 3/12); Westville Boys’ High 106/6 (Max Robertson 38; Nathan Beaumont 2/20, Cian Fortuin 2/21, Brandon Sunguroo 2/23). St Charles College won by 18 runs.

Die Hoërskool Pietersburg het op Saterdag, daarin geslaan om as die Limpopo Frogfoot 7’s se kampioen gekroon te word.

Die span van Pietersburg het sy aanslag op die titel teen Hoërskool Louis Trichardt afgeskop. Hy het hier, met ‘n telling van 65-0, as wenners uit die stryd getree. Dit het die Pieties die nodige momentum gegee om voort te stoomroller.

Hierna was dit Hans Strijdom, van Naboomspruit, se beurt om onder Pietersburg se aanvallende spel deur te loop. Pietersburg het die Hansies gemaklik met ‘n telling van 31-17 afgeransel.

Dit het die span van Pietersburg met slegs een hekkie oor gelaat om sy plek in die Beker-halfeindronde te bepreek. Hy het egter gemaklik daaroor gekom deur Hoërskool Piet Potgieter met ‘n telling van 35-5 kaf te draf.

HTS Tom Naudé het op Pietersburg in die halfeindstryd gewag. Die Pieties se bure het ‘n behoorlike geveg opgesit, maar was dit te versmaai teen ‘n sterk Pietersburg span. Die Tommies moes noodgedwonge die knie, met ‘n telling van 12-14 buig.

Dit het beteken dat Pietersburg sy grootste toets vir die dag, teen verlede naweek se kampioene, Hoërskool Ben Vorster moes aandurf. Dit was egter een rigting verkeer in die guns van die Pietersburgers. Die Pieties het die Tzaneeners oortuigend met ‘n telling van 29-7 uitoorlê om as Limpopo se Frogfoot Sewestitel te verower.

Sodoende dring Hoërskool Pietersburg deur na die Noordvaal Sewes-toernooi, wat in Krugersdorp op die 22 en 23ste September sal plaasvind.

Die uitslae:

Poel A: Ben Vorster 40, Merensky I 12; Merensky I 40, Nylstroom 14; Ben Vorster 45; Nylstroom 0; Curro Heuwelkruin 26; Nylstroom 10; Ben Vorster 31, Curro Heuwelkruin 0; Merensky I 41, Curro Heuwelkruin 12.

Poel B: Ben Viljoen 49, Frans du Toit 7; Ben Viljoen 19, Frans du Toit 24, Northen Academy 17; Frikkie Meyer 26, Frans du Toit 0; Frikkie Meyer 27, Northen Academy 7; Ben Viljoen 43, Northen Academy 10.

Poel C: Pietersburg I 65, Louis Trichardt 0; Pietersburg I 31, Hans Strijdom 17; Hans Strijdom 14, Louis Trichardt 7; Hans Strijdom 17, Piet Potgieter 12; Louis Trichardt 27, Piet Potgieter 19; Pietersburg I 35, Piet Potgieter 5.

Poel D: Tom Naude 44, Merensky II 0; Tom Naude 29, Ellisras 19; Ellis ras 55, Merensky II 0; Ellisras 24, Pietersburg II 5; Merensky II 15, Pietersburg II 7; Tom Naude 49, Pietersburg II 7.

Halfeindstryde: 

Skild: Northen Academy 24, Nylstroom 14; Pietersburg II 27, Piet Potgieter 14.
Bowl: Frans du Toit 20, Curro Heuwelkruin 14; Louis Trichardt 34, Merensky II 5.
Plaat: Frikkie Meyer 38, Merensky I 7, Hans Strijdom ontrek, Ellisras dring deur na eindstryd.
Beker: Ben Vorster 24, Ben Viljoen 19 (ekstra tyd), Pietersburg 14, Tom Naudé 12.

Eindstryde:

Skild: Piet Potgieter 24, Northen Academy 14.
Bowl: Louis Trichardt 14, Frans du Toit 7.
Plaat: Tom Naude 19, Ben Viljoen 7.
Beker: Pietersburg I 29, Ben Vorster 7.

 

Hilton College managed to book their place in next week’s One Insurance Eston School T20 Night Series after coming out on top against Maritzburg College on Wednesday evening.

Maritzburg won the toss and decided to bat first. Looking to put up a competitive total for a strong Hilton batting line up the Maritzburg men went hard from the get-go, losing a few quick wickets in the process.

Ross Boast proved to be the dangerman for Hilton as the all-rounder claimed figures of 2/26 in his allotted four overs.

For Maritzburg it was Caleb Thomas who got his teams’ innings back on track with a splendid 57 including seven fours of only 46 deliveries at a strike rate of 126.

Thomas was well supported by Middle-order batter Bryan Brokensha, who contributed with a much-needed cameo of 33 of 31 balls to help his side to a total of 144/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

Hilton’s innings got off to a relatively slow start as they too lost some early wickets in their quest to reach the target of 145 needed for a place in the final.

Michael Gibson proved to be the main thorn in the side for Hilton’s top order claiming figures of 3/18 in his 4 overs.

With wickets falling around him, Charles Swart kept his composure and stepped up to the plate to make an unbeaten 60 of 50 deliveries. His teammate Ivan Jjuuko played an important supportive role as the middle order batter made 29 of 28 balls.

The pair’s contributions were deemed to be enough as Hilton chased down the required target in the 19^th over to book a place in the final against either, Michaelhouse or St. Charles’ College, next week.

Summarised scorecards:

Maritzburg College 144/5 (Caleb Thomas 57, Bryan Brokensha 33; Ross Boast 2/26); Hilton College 148/4 (Charles Swart 60, Ivan Jjuuko 29; Michael Gibson 3/18). Hilton College won by six wickets.

Hoërskool Pietersburg continued their dominance in the Limpopo Super League after beating Ben Vorster convincingly by 178 runs on Saturday in Tzaneen.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first on what seemed to be a batter-friendly wicket. Opening batsman, Philip Weterman laid a solid foundation with his 42 of 64 deliveries as the Pieties got off to a good start.

All the batters from Pietersburg managed to get good starts but found a way to lose their wicket just as the partnerships started to look threatening.

It proved to be the turners who held the key for the Vossies as Njabulo Maseko (2/30) led the fightback with a good bowling display.

It was not until, Drian Hartslief (32, 35b) and Zandré Hattingh (45, 60b) got together that the Pieties really hit their straps and a clear shift in momentum took place. The pair’s partnership of 68 laid a solid foundation for Zandré van Rooyen to set their innings alight with an aggressive 63 of 51 balls to lead his team to a total of 266/8 at the end of their allotted 50 overs.

Van Rooyen impressed again. This time with the ball in hand. The fiery allrounder stormed in to have the home side in hot water early on, claiming four scalps for only 20 runs. The Vossies seemed to have no answer for the onslaught from Pietersburg with Ndzalama Mushwana top scoring with only 17 runs behind his name as the home side was bundled out for a meagre 88 runs to hand Pietersburg yet another convincing win.

Merensky got back to winning ways after claiming a thumping victory against Nkowankowa Hub on Saturday in Tzaneen.

The home side won the toss and elected to bowl first. A decision that proved to be the right one as they almost immediately had Nkowankowa in serious trouble. Off-spinner Rinaldo Bornman led the way with his impressive figures of 3/20. Supported by the ever-impressive swing bowler, Luka Heinlein (2/14), Merensky managed to bundle the visitors out for only 71. Ntshunxeko Malangana deemed to be the only shining light as he top-scored with 16 of 16 deliveries.

Meresnky chased down the small score in the 15^th over with only three wickets down. Heinlein showed his class with the bat making 17 of 40 balls. Support from his older statesman, Alfred Nel (16, 25b) helped the Plasies to a convincing seven-wicket victory.

Hoërskool Ellisras had yet another field day in the Waterberg League as they chased down 300 set by Hoërskool Nylstroom with only two wickets down. Nylstroom’s bulk of their runs came from a breathtaking 161 of 145 balls by opening batsman Jannes van Zyl.

For Ellisras it was their stalwart, Gerdro Grobler, who notched up his second century for the season, blasting 143 of only 116 balls. His colleague, Mohau Tswidi (99, 112b), also put up another classy display as the top order batter fell just one run short of his second century for the season as the pair helped their team to a comfortable eight-wicket victory.

Summarised scorecards:

Pietersburg 266/8 (Zandre van Rooyen 63*, Zandre Hattingh 45, Philip Weterman 42, Drian Hartslief 32; Njabulo Maseko 2/30, Tristan Buglass 2/24); Ben Vorster 88/10 (Ndzalama Mushwana 19; Van Rooyen 4/20, Hattingh 3/22). Pietersburg won by 178 runs.

Nkowankowa 71/10 (Ntshunxeko Malangana 16; Rinaldo Bornman 3/20, Luka Heinlein 2/14, Timothy Baker 2/16, Carel Jacobsz 2/2); Merensky 73/3 (Luka Heinlein 17, Alfred Nel 16*; Believe Zitha 1/9). Merensky won by seven wickets.

Nylstroom 300/9 (Jannes van Zyl 161, Lukas van der Merwe 68; Alec Bester 4/31, Gerdro Grobler 2/30, Edward Johnson 2/39); Ellisras 302/2 (Gerdro Grobler 143, Mohau Tswidi 99; Daniel Briel 1/42). Ellisras won by eight wickets.