Breathtaking run pursuit powers Garsfontein into Fain Noordvaal final
Hoërskool Garsfontein executed a spectacular run chase, speeding to a five-wicket win over Potchefstroom Gimnasium on Saturday with 64 balls to spare after the visitors had posted a sterling 305 all out.
The Ysbere‘s home ground victory secured them a place in the Fain Noordvaal title game next Saturday.
It sets them up for a shot at claiming the title for the first since 2018 when they defeated Hoërskool Waterkloof in the final.
They’ll be up against Hoërskool Dr Malan, of Meyerton, who won by 39 runs against Hoërskool Kempton Park in the other semi-final.
Gimmies would’ve certainly been the happier of the sides when the change of innings arrived, having made 305 all out, with their last wicket going down off the second-last ball of the innings.
Ulrich Botha, who opened the batting with Christivan Coetzer, was the main protagonist in the visitors’ batting story. He laid the platform for the visitors’ big total by scoring a century. Coetzer, though, was the aggressor in a 70-run first-wicket partnership, smashing six fours and three sixes in his 53, which came from only 34 deliveries.
Henré Cronje, who was a star performer in Potch Gim’s emphatic 107-run win over Hoërskool Middelburg in the quarterfinals, also shared in a big partnership with Botha.
Cronje contributed 52 runs to their 96-run partnership for the fourth wicket, while Botha played the role that fits him like a glove, anchoring Gim’s innings. His superb 109 came from a patient 129 deliveries, and it was the glue that held the Gimmies’ innings together.
The visitors appeared to be on course for an even larger total than 305, but Jared Carr prevented matters from getting out of hand with a memorable spell of bowling.
Although expensive – his 9.5 overs cost him 90 runs – he removed seven batsmen and led the way as the visitors lost their last six wickets for the addition of only 52 runs. In the context of a high-scoring contest, it was a massively important contribution.
Needing to bat at better than a run a ball for their full 50 overs, getting off to a good start was vital for Garsies, and Reuben van Zyl made sure they did. He launched a blitzkrieg on the Potch Gimnasium bowlers, clubbing 70 runs from just 36 balls, striking 13 of them for four and another two for six.
Even after his departure, the Ysbere never looked like losing. Charl van Staden, with 63, delivered the second half-century of the home side’s innings, while Wikus du Preez played his part, weighing in with 44.
Riaan Boshoff, with 41 not out, also produced a decisive innings. He and his captain, Xander Venter, who was unbeaten on 55, partnered for an unbroken partnership of 96 runs to see Garsfontein over the line.
Despite the home team’s hard-hitting charge to victory, Damian Kruger impressed with the ball, capturing 4/39, and sparked a bit of a flutter in the hearts of Garsfontein supporters when they lost three wickets for just 12 runs.
Summarised scorecard
Potchefstroom Gimmnasium 305 (Ulrich Botha 109, Christivan Coetzer 53, Henré Cronje 52, Caiden Seleka 28; Jared Carr 7/90); Garsfontein 306/5 (Reuben van Zyl 70, Charl van Staden 63, Xander Venter 55*, Wikus du Preez 44, Riaan Boshoff 41*; Damian Kruger 4/39). Garsfontein won by five wickets.
