Jim Fouché overwhelms Voortrekker, Witteberg sneaks by Welkom Gim
Hoërskool Jim Fouché vs Hoërskool Bethlehem Voortrekker
The visiting Hoërskool Bethlehem Voortrekker decided to field first after winning the toss against Hoërskool Jim Fouché in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The hosts, though, made hay, with opener Joden Vorster, whacking six fours and a six in his contribution of 53 off 76 deliveries.
JF received a second fifty from number four batsman, Franco de Necker, who weighed in with 56 off 71, and Ruan Kleyn, batting at eight, also recorded a half-century, making exactly 50 from 71 deliveries, too.
Those three innings were the pillars upon which the home side built a strong 261/7 from their 50 overs.
Ruan Heunis was the best of the Voorktrekker bowlers, taking 2/29 in six overs, while Thato Nthebere returned 2/55 from nine.
Under pressure after being set a stiff target, the visitors struggled to find traction in their reply.
Jayden Strydom, at six, and Janno Olivier, at seven, were the only batsmen to reach double figures. Both were forced to play conservatively, with Strydom making 28 off 56 and Olivier scoring 29 off 70 as they partnered for 60 runs for the sixth wicket.
Jareth Scott, though, asked questions the Vootrekker batsmen couldn’t answer, knocking over a brilliant 5/13 in six overs. Despite bowling only one over, Cobus Wilken made an impact, removing two batsmen, while André Kleyn wrapped up the visitors’ innings, nabbing 2/14 in 3.4 overs.
Bethlehem Voortrekker’s run chase stalled after 30.2 overs, when they were all out for 92 runs, leaving Jim Fouché the runaway winners by 169 runs.
Welkom Gimnasium vs Hoërskool Witteberg
After a slow start, Welkom Gimnasium built up momentum in their limited-overs clash against the visiting Hoërskool Witteberg on Saturday.
Luhan Botha, who made his way to the middle after the fall of the second wicket, gave the hosts’ innings impetus with his contribution of 56 from 82 balls, which featured two fours and three sixes. Then, tailender Bryan Haywood boosted the Gim innings with 25, which included a couple of sixes.
His effort helped Welkom Gimnasium to 164 all out after 46.2 overs at the crease.
Xander Fourie kept the home team under pressure, snapping up 3/19 in eight overs, while WJ Geldenhuis gave little away as he bagged 2/12 in 7.2 overs. Lwazi Mosea played his part by acquiring 2/33.
When Witteberg replied, they were put under pressure by the relentless Bryan Haywood, who uprooted 3/16 in nine overs. He found good support from Luhan Botha, who claimed 2/25 in eight.
Welkom Gim was in the ascendancy when they reduced the Bethlehem visitors to 57/6 after 18.3 overs, but Pieter Wessels then made his appearance at the crease. The number eight batsman proceeded to thump two fours and three sixes in an undefeated 55 off 91 balls to set Witteberg on course for victory.
He found a willing partner in Lwazi Mosea, who joined him after the seventh wicket went down. Mosea made an invaluable 23 and combined with Wessels to add 48 runs for the eighth wicket.
That helped Welkom Gimnasium to 165/8, and a narrow two-wicket win with 14 balls remaining.
Summarised Scorecard
Hoërskool Jim Fouché 261/7 (Franco de Necker 56, Joden Vorster 53, Ruan Kleyn 50, André Kleyn 32, Extras 32, Benco Olivier 27; Ruan Harris 2/29, Thato Nthebere 2/55); Hoërskool Bethlehem Voortrekker 92/10 (Janno Olivier 29, Jayden Strydom 28; Jareth Scott 5/13, Cobus Wilken 2/0, André Kleyn 2/14). Jim Fouché won by 169 runs.
Welkom Gimnasium 164/10 (Luhan Botha 56, Extras 33, Bryan Haywood 25; Xander Fourie 3/19, WJ Geldenhuis 2/12, Lwazi Mosea 2/33); Hoërskool Witteberg 165/8 (Pieter Wessels 55*, Extras 35, Lwazi Mosea 23; Bryan Haywood 3/16, Luhan Botha 2/25); Witteberg won by two wickets.
