Centurion strikes vital blow in Finsbury C Section promotion/relegation battle
The six-wicket margin by which Hoërskool Centurion defeated Hoërskool Lichtenburg in Centurion on Saturday could prove to be decisive in the promotion/relegation race, with just one round remaining in the C Section of the 2026 Finsbury League.
The Woeries secured a vital victory after their captain, Morné Prinsloo, delivered a match-winning spell that helped to restrict the visitors from the North West to just 72 all out, batting first.
Prinsloo was the pick of the Centurion bowlers, producing an excellent seven-over spell that yielded four wickets for only 13 runs.
He didn’t have to do it all on his own, however. Kyle Fourie inflicted significant damage, too, claiming 4/32 from 9.4 overs.
In reply, Centurion’s other Morné, Morné Venter, and opener Leon Gunter saw the hosts to an assured victory. Gunter top-scored with 30, while Venter contributed a valuable 27 to guide their side to a crucial first win in the 2026 competition.
In Middelburg, Hoërskool Middelburg‘s grip on the race for a shot at promotion tightened with another commanding outing. This time, a dominant bowling performance laid the foundation for Middies‘ seven-wicket win over Hoërskool Dinamika. Ricardo Ras led the way with an impressive return of 3/10, which underlined the quality within the Middelburg ranks.
Eduan Strydom showed off his all-round value by supporting Ras with 2/46 as the visitors from Alberton were dismissed for 130. Strydom then made his presence felt with the bat, contributing 35 in a successful run chase that took only 16 overs to achieve victory.
Nijan Swart was the principal contributor with the bat, edging three runs beyond Strydom’s tally, with his 38. Since moving to Middelburg from Secunda at the start of the year, Swart has been a regular contributor to Middelburg’s many successes.
In Centurion, Hoërskool Zwartkop outclassed Hoërskool Pietersburg by 89 runs. A series of useful cameos from the Zwarries‘ batting lineup, led by 42 from Wihan Pelser, enabled the hosts to post a competitive 225/8 from their 50 overs.
Pelser’s main partner in crime, Stian Scholtz, added 33 before making his mark with the ball, claiming 3/28, which was Zwartkop’s best return as they comfortably defended their total.
Despite a spirited effort from the Pieties‘ standout Willem Viljoen, who struck an impressive 88 after taking 2/35 with the ball earlier in the day, Pietersburg was bowled out for 136. Viljoen desperately needed some support, but little was forthcoming, and the visitors went down to a heavy defeat.
Summarised scorecards
Hoërskool Lichtenburg 72/10 (Extras 24, Johann Duvenhage 16; Morné Prinsloo 4/13, Kyle Fourie 4/32); Hoërskool Centurion 73/4 (Leon Gunter 30, Morné Venter 27; Oratile Masa 2/9). Hoërskool Centurion won by six wickets.
Dinamika 130/10 (Liam de Swardt 41; Ricardo Ras 3/10, Eduan Strydom 2/46); Hoërskool Middelburg 131/3 (Nijan Swart 38, Eduan Strydom 35, Juanru Brazelle 30; Jared Cliffe 2/40). Hoërskool Middelburg won by seven wickets.
Zwartkop 225/8 (Wihan Pelser 42, Extras 36, Stian Scholtz 33, Philip Potgieter 31, Robert Vermeulen 23*; AJ Galloway 3/35, Ignus Ferreira 2/32, Willem Viljoen 2/35); Hoërskool Pietersburg 136/10 (Willem Viljoen 88; Stian Scholtz 3/28, Liam van Wyk 3/45, Henré Fourie 2/6). Zwartkop won by 89 runs.
