Important victory sets up Midstream for possible promotion
Midstream College has been a force to be reckoned with in the B Section of the Finsbury League this year. In fact, despite it being their first campaign in the B Section, Midstream may well earn promotion to the A Section.
Their five-wicket victory over Potchefstroom Gimnasium on Saturday, in Midran11d, has likely set them up for a promotion/relegation clash against Hoërskool Rustenburg on 21 February.
Wian de Bruin and Christian Olwagen laid the groundwork for Saturday’s victory with the ball, thus enabling Rikus Cilliers and his batting outfit to execute a successful run chase.
Midstream won the toss and, after electing to bowl first, De Bruin struck early with the new ball.
He captured 3/15, while Olwagen knocked over 2/12, which included the prized wicket of Gimmies‘ mainstay, Christivan Coetzer. Coetzer, however, delivered a quickfire 34 from 26 balls before his departure.
Henré Cronje led the lower-order contributions, with 28, while Bernard Juddels and Thloni Tabatha added 27 each to help Potch Gim to 207 all out, which looked like a decent enough total on a pitch that offered something to the bowlers.
The composure of Midstream opener Rikus Cilliers proved decisive in their reply. He batted patiently yet positively, scoring at more than a run a ball. He was eventually dismissed through an excellent piece of fielding by Tabatha, run out for a well‑played 57, but Cilliers had set his side up to succeed.
Further meaningful contributions from Ryan Strauss (38) and Maarten Nortjé (33) carried the home side across the line in the 35th over with five wickets in hand.
In Benoni, an in‑form Aiden Shaw powered Hoërskool Hans Moore to a dominant seven-wicket win over Hoërskool Montana. Shaw’s century – a ruthless 130 from only 86 balls, which included 10 sixes and nine fours- ensured Moories chased down the 206 they needed for victory in just 24 overs.
Leejan van Jaarsveld was Montana’s standout performer, standing firm despite being put under heavy pressure before falling for a determined 65, which was not enough to overshadow Shaw’s commanding display on home soil.
In Nelspruit, Safwaan Muller, of Hoërskool Nelspruit, produced the bowling performance of the round to guide Nellies to a tightly contested three-wicket victory over Hoërskool Marais Viljoen.
Despite a well‑played 69 from Trent Shrives, the visitors posted only 137. Muller claimed six wickets, including that of Shrives, while conceding 41 runs from his seven overs.
The Alberton school refused to go down without a fight. Zaim Hashim, with 3/49, and Hendré Cilliers, with 2/17, struck back for Marais Viljoen with strong spells. However, they didn’t have sufficient runs to defend, and an unbeaten 48 from Juan Maritz secured victory for Nelspruit in Mbombela.
Summarised scorecards
Potchefstroom Gimnasium 207/10 (Christivan Coetzer 34, Henré Cronje 28, Bernard Judels 27, Thloni Tabatha 27, Bennet Keet 21, Extras 20; Wian de Bruin 3/15, Christian Olwagen 2/12); Midstream College 208/5 (Rikus Cilliers 57, Ryan Struass 38, Maarten Nortjé 33, Hanro de Villiers 23, Extras 23; Damian Kruger 2/29). Midstream College won by five wickets.
Montana 205/10 (Leejan van Jaarsveld 65, Migael Kock 49, Extras 23; Nathan King 2/18, Issac Aube 2/18); Hans Moore 206/3 (Aiden Shaw 130, Xavier van Biljon 36, Extras 23; Du Preez Prinsloo 2/31). Hans Moore won by seven wickets.
Marais Viljoen 137/10 (Trent Shrives 69; Safwaan Muller 6/41, Enrico Joubert 3/25); Hoërskool Nelspruit 141/7 (Juan Maritz 48*, Dian Boucher 23; Zaim Hashim 3/49, Hendré Cilliers 2/17). Hoërskool Nelspruit won by three wickets.
