It’s Potch Gim vs Rustenburg again in North West Schools SA20 Final
Potchefstroom Gimnasium landed the first blow in the first of two meetings with Potchefstroom Volkskool this week, with their convincing 57-run win setting up a rematch of the 2024 North West Schools SA20 final against Hoërskool Rustenburg, in Potchefstroom.
Read and relive all the North-West Schools SA20 action right here on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
Instead of playing at the Witrand Oval, as originally scheduled, the sides met at Gimmies‘ home ground, the Gimmie Oval.
The ground will also host the final because the North West Dragons are taking on the Tuskers in a CSA Division One four-day match at the JB Marks Oval.
Gimnasium’s victory over Volkies was orchestrated by opening batsman Christivan Coetzer. He’s currently experiencing a purple patch, not only in the Schools SA20 competition but also in the 50-over League, and a blistering 87 runs from his bat, at more than two runs a ball, was the key performance in Gim’s challenging 174/8 from their 20 overs.
He faced only 34 deliveries, sending 10 of them flying for six and hammering another four to the boundary, which meant 72 of his runs came from boundaries. His strike rate was a meaty 256.
Lukas Kotze provided outstanding support, weighing in with a composed 52, also at a strike rate of more than 100.
Potch Gim appeared to be on course for a massive total, but Andries Venter helped to rein in the run rate, knocking over 4/18 to pull things back nicely for Volkies. However, Gim’s Damian Kruger paid attention to what had brought Venter success and put that knowledge to good use.
When it was their turn to bat, Volkskool never looked as if they had the firepower to chase down Gim’s 175. Their run pursuit was undermined by Kruger, who bowled a big hole into the Volkies’ batting lineup by claiming 4/24 from his four overs.
Bennet Keet excelled, too, snapping up 3/13 as Volkskool was limited to 117 all out. AW van der Merwe top scored with 26.
Potch Gim’s victory earned them a shot at Rusties in the final. Since securing their place in the title game two rounds ago, Rustenburg hasn’t played any T20 cricket. They’ll need to be sharp to stop Gimmies.
Summarised scorecard
Potchefstroom Gimnasium 174/8 (Christivan Coetzer 87, Lukas Kotze 52; Andries Venter 4/18, Handré de Beer 2/33); Potchefstroom Volkskool 117 (AW van der Merwe 26; Damian Kruger 4/24, Bennet Keet 3/13). Potchefstroom Gimnasium won by 57 runs.
