Botha bashes Merensky to victory, Weterman century too much for Piet Potgieter
Merensky Landbou Akademie started their 2024 Limpopo League campaign with a bang on Saturday, celebrating a seven-wicket victory over Phalaborwa Boys’ Hub, thanks mostly to their bowlers.
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It came as no surprise that Merensky’s opening bowler and the spearhead of their attack, Luka Heinlein, hit his straps almost immediately. He delivered a fine exhibition of swing bowling to capture three wickets for only 18 runs.
He was backed up by his fellow quick, Topher Elphinstone, one of the young guns in the side, who bowled with good pace to pick up 2 for 20.
Only Rivonia Chauke and Mandla Moshoba managed to withstand the onslaught somewhat. Both showed great promise, contributing 22 runs each.
That was only enough to get the Phalaborwa boys to 124, however, and that turned out to not be enough.
With some established batsmen in the Plasie batting lineup, led by JP Botha, early inroads needed to be made. Chauke, as he did with the bat, fought hard and claimed two wickets in the first seven overs.
Botha then strode to the crease and set the Merensky Oval alight. Batting at four, the talented youngster smashed an unbeaten 76 from only 33 deliveries. His knock included eight fours and six sixes, meaning that all but eight of his runs came from boundaries as he emphatically led his side to victory.
A Philip Weteman century was enough to get Hoërskool Pietersburg home by four wickets against the league’s dark horses, Hoërskool Piet Potgieter. Weterman played beautifully for his 110* as the Pieties pursued 251 for victory. The talented Nicholaas Oerlemans provided solid support with a well-played 47, while Hanno van Zyl smashed 40 from only 29 balls.
The side from Mokapane, which enjoyed a successful 2023 season, beating the likes of Merenky, also showed promising signs. Both of their top-order standouts, Muaaz Muhammed and Aeron Vaidyan, had good outings. Muhammed top scored with a fiery 75 runs, while Vaidyan weighed in with a mature 56 from 90 balls.
Du Preez Coetzee, who should be in the mix for the Limpopo Impala’s Khaya Majola side, also made an early statement, snapping up three wickets at a cost of only 32 runs from his 10 overs.
Summarised scorecards
Phalaborwa Boys Hub 124 (Rivonia Chauke 22, Mandla Moshoba 22; Luka Heinlein 3/18, Topher Elphinstone 2/20, Kyle Crous 2/12, Xander Schoeman 2/21); Merensky 126/3 (JP Botha 76*; Rivonia Chauke 2/36). Merensky won by seven wickets.
Hoërskool Piet Potgieter 250 (Muaaz Muhammed 75, Aeron Vaidyan 56, Extras 51, Ruben Oosthuizen 20; Nicholaas Oerlemans 2/34, Celliers van der Merwe 2/37, Stephan Swanepoel 2/42); Hoërskool Pietersburg 251/6 (Philip Weterman 110*, Nicholaas Oerlemans 47, Hanno van Zyl 40, Extras 29; Du Preez Coetzee 3/32). Hoërskool Pietersburg won by four wickets.
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