Grey College to face Waterkloof in Wildeklawer T20 final
Waterkloof has a chance to reclaim the Wildeklawer T20 title, which they last won in 2023, when they take on last year’s beaten finalists, Grey College, at Camp Discovery on Sunday morning. The contest will be a rematch of one of last year’s semifinals.
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In the 2024 edition, Grey College emerged victorious thanks to a splendid performance from Ruben Maree with the bat and an enthralling display of legspin bowling by Daniel Hattingh.
Maree struck a match-winning half-century, contributing 68 runs, before Hattingh snared four wickets to help secure a 27-run win for the Bloemfontein side.
Both will be on hand again as Grey College tries to outplay the Pretoria locals once more. But they face a stiff challenge from Waterkloof.
There was little action on Saturday, day three of the event, because of rain, which resulted in the organisers consulting the points table and awarding the top-ranked team, Waterkloof, a berth in the final.
Klofies earned their spot in the title game courtesy of the points they accumulated from their four-wicket triumph over Rondebosch on Thursday, which was followed by a 37-run triumph over St David’s Marist Inanda on Friday.
Waterkloof’s duo of Riley Miller, who scored an outstanding 60 against Rondebosch, and AJ de Villiers, who delivered a masterful 79 against St David’s, were key performers for their side.
Despite the rain on Saturday, Grey College was able to fit in a 10-over-a-side semi-final clash against Jeppe at Camp Discovery. It went swimmingly for the Free Staters, who romped to a nine-wicket win.
Henru de Wet, Grey’s captain, unleashed a five-man bowling attack after Jeppe won the toss and chose to bat first. They mustered 72/7 but were kept in check by Jano Venter, who nabbed 2/12 in two overs.
The skipper, De Wet, played his part, picking up 2/17 in two overs, while Otto Krause, Sicelo Matayi, and Juan Maree added a wicket each.
Grey College needed to bat at just over seven runs an over to win and one meaningful innings would go a long way towards lifting them to victory. Instead, they got two.
Christian Kind spearheaded his side’s run chase, blasting his way to an unbeaten 36 from 17 balls, while Juan Maree blitzed 30 from 16 and shared an opening partnership of 66 runs, which took the Bloemfontein school to the cusp of victory. When it came, Kind was partnered by Daniel Hattingh, who finished with nine not out.
Grey College and Waterkloof meet at 09:30.
Summarised Scorecard
Jeppe 75/7 (Vegas Scott 17, Ethan Elliot 13*, Lincoln Casais 13; Jano Venter 2/12, Henru de Wet 2/17). Grey College 77/1 (Christian Kind 36*, Juan Maree 30; Reza Ayob 1/16). Grey College won by nine wickets.
