Fourie century key to Witteberg victory, Trio stuns Sentraal
Hoërskool Witteberg vs Hoërskool Bethlehem Voortrekker
Hoërskool Witteberg must have felt very satisfied with their decision to bat first at home in their limited-overs derby showdown against Hoërskool Bethlehem Voortrekker on Friday afternoon.
Number four batsman, Xander Fourie, was the source for that satisfaction, walloping 13 fours and three sixes in a glorious 115 runs off 117 deliveries.
He and Anru Erasmus, who contributed 35, batting third in the order, stuck together for a third-wicket partnership of 104 runs.
At times, the visitors lacked discipline, contributing 20 wides to a hefty 30 extras. Jordan Buitendag was, nonetheless, impressive, bagging 4/49 from 10 overs.
Witteberg was out with only eight balls left in their 50-over allotment, but they had posted a solid 258 runs by then.
Voortrekker’s reply was led by Paul Naudé. He made his way to the crease after the fall of the third wicket and proceeded to remain unbeaten throughout the remainder of Voortrekker’s innings, striking nine fours in his 64 not out off 77 balls.
He and Jayden Strydom, who weighed in with 31, shared a 66-run fifth-wicket partnership. It wasn’t enough to put a scare into Witteberg, however.
Six of the home team’s bowlers collected at least one wicket, with Kyle Nel and Heino Bruwer both nabbing 2/33 as Voortrekker was sent packing for 207, leaving Witteberg with a convincing 51-run win.
Hoërskool Sentraal vs Hoërskool Trio (Kroonstad)
In a 30-over match, the home side, Hoërskool Sentraal, won the toss and chose to bat first against Hoërskool Trio.
The toss didn’t go their way, but the visitors from Kroonstad made hay and kept Tralies under pressure with a committed effort in the field. Four of their bowlers picked up two wickets each, with Dylan Young snapping up 2/11 in only 2.1 overs.
WJ van Niekerk bowled two maiden overs in his 2/17 from six overs, while Zothile Zwane conceded no extras in his 2/28, and Iwan du Plessis claimed 2/33, which included the dismissal of Damian Smith. His exit, for 27 from 33 balls, helped to slow Sentraal’s momentum.
Janré Bornman top-scored for the Bloemfontein boys, smashing six sixes and two fours in his 65 from 50 deliveries, while Henco Maree prolonged the innings with his 33 at a run a ball.
After 29.1 overs at the crease, the Bloem locals had put up 173 all out.
Appropriately, a trio of batsmen led Trio’s successful run chase. Opener WJ van Niekerk led the way, lighting up the contest with a swashbuckling 83 off just 39 deliveries. His aggressive knock included five fours and eight sixes.
His fellow opener Zothile Zwane struck seven fours in an unbeaten 50 off 56, and combined with Van Niekerk for a decisive 144-run first-wicket partnership.
Henrico van der Merwe helped to hurry the visitors from Kroonstad to an emphatic nine-wicket victory by blasting three sixes and a four in a quickfire 24 off only eight balls.
Batting at an impressive 10.2 runs per over, Trio sped to victory in only 17.1 overs.
Summarised Scorecard
Hoërskool Witteberg 258/10 (Xander Fourie 115, Anru Erasmus 35, Extras 30; Jordan Buitendag 4/49, Vlag Janse van Rensburg 2/53); Hoërskool Bethlehem Voortrekker 207/10 (Paul Naudé 64*, Jayden Strydom 31, Thys Parsons 20, Thato Nthebere 20, Rodney Turner 20; Kyle Nel 2/33, Heino Bruwer 2/33). Witteberg won by 51 runs.
Hoërskool Sentraal 173/10 (Janré Bornman 65, Henco Maree 33, Damian Smith 27; Dylan Young 2/11, WJ van Niekerk 2/17, Zothile Zwane 2/28, Iwan du Plessis 2/33); Hoërskool Trio 175/1 (WJ van Niekerk 83*, Zothile Zwane 50*, Henrico van der Merwe 24*). Trio won by nine wickets.
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