NWU-Pukke got their Varsity Cricket off to a cracking start, beating UCT by 10 wickets on Tuesday morning in Potchefstroom.
The hosts got their campaign off to a flying start after enduring a frustrating, rain-affected day one on Monday.
Winning the toss and sending UCT in to bat first seemed to be the right decision as UCT struggled to put runs on the board. Taariq Chiecktey (29 off 20) and Jack Newby’s (25 off 31) first-wicket stand of 55 was the only notable contribution, with no other batsman surpassing the 20-run mark. Spinning all-rounder, Riaz Sader (17 off 10 balls) tried to revive his side’s chances but was bowled by Dyllan Matthews who was the pick of the bowlers taking 3-11. Hanco Olivier (2-22), Neil Durrow (1-15) and Ruan Haasbroek (1-17) all chipped in as UCT were bundled out for 119.
In the end, it was an easy chase for Pukke, Janneman Malan leading the way smashing six sixes and 10 fours as he posted 94 off 42 balls. His partnership with Wihan Lubbe (16 off 18) made light work of UCT’s total, as they reached the total in the tenth over, winning by 10 wickets.
In other matches from day two action, after Tuks posted a competitive total of 142-6, UWC upset the defending champions with a superb batting display. An opening stand of 101 from Tayo Walbrugh (44) and Adrian du Toit (63) set up an eight-wicket victory.
Madibaz elected to bat first posting a total of 142 at the Ibbies Oval against Kovsies. Lloyd Brown top scored for his side hitting 45 off 32 deliveries. Sean Whitehead (2-16), Ruan van Rensburg (2-26), Marno van Greuning (2-31) all picked up two scalps with Petrus du Plessis and Wizzard Ncedane chipping in with one apiece. Kovsies chased down the target with eight balls and five wickets remaining despite a decent bowling display from Junaid Dawood (3-20). They posted 146-5 thanks to Arno Bouwer (24) and Jacobus Dreyer (36), who secured the win in the middle order with effective running between the wickets. After Bouwer and Dreyers departed, Van Greuning (17 not out) and Sean Whitehead (23 no out) put on a 52-run partnership to secure a crucial win for their side.
Maties got their Varsity Cricket campaign off to a good start with a seven-wicket win over their rivals UCT at NWU Puk Oval. A tight bowling display from Stellies helped them reduce UCT to 133-9. Neil Botha (3-38), Justin Dill (2-16) and Mihlali May (2-13) all chipped in with the ball for Stellies while Taariq Chiecktey starred for UCT hitting 42 off 29 balls. Jean Bredenkamp (44 of 33) and the left-handed batsman, Fritz de Beer (48 off 43 balls) put on a vital 94-run second-wicket partnership which helped Stellies claim a victory as they posted 137-3.
UWC were unable to chase down UJ’s target of 153 (which became 158 due to the loss of a wicket in the Powerplay Plus over) at Senwes Park. Grant Roelofsen top-scored with 31 off 24 balls. Chad Fortuin was the pick of the bowlers for UWC taking 3-9 but could not reduce UJ as they posted a target of 157. UWC captain Zubayr Hamza batted magnificently as he attempted to take his side over the line, but his 63 off 58 balls was to no prevail as they fell 10 runs short, posting 147-8.
In the main match of the day, NWU-Pukke cruised to a 19-run victory, mainly because of captain Wihan Lubbe. Lubbe put up a score of 86 not out off 53 balls as Pukke put up a score of 171-6 while the Madibaz could only manage 152-9 despite a gutsy 43 off 24 deliveries from wicketkeeper Vian Maritz. Bantu Dandala (4-34) and Dyllan Matthews (3-20) were vital to preventing the men from Port Elizabeth from crossing the line as Pukke claimed another victory.
Photo: Mario van de Wall/Saspa
