Middelburg aims to tighten its grip on the top of the log in Lichtenburg
With Hoërskool Middelburg on a roll, the other five sides in the C Section of the Finsbury League find themselves playing catch-up ahead of the third of the five rounds on Saturday
With a strong, well-balanced line-up, Middies surged to the top of the standings after an emphatic victory over Hoërskool Zwartkop last weekend.
Beyond tightening their grip on first place in the C Section, their 318-run demolition of Zwarries also saw their big guns rediscover their form. Khaya Majola star Eduan Strydom‘s magnificent 183 was the highest individual score recorded thus far in the Noordvaal in 2026.
Alongside him, another familiar name, Gavin Genis, has also found his rhythm, smashing 171 runs from just 66 balls in his last two innings.
The duo has sent a huge warning in flashing red lights to the Hoërskool Lichtenburg bowling attack that awaits them on Saturday.
They’re currently winless, but a victory for all-rounder Jurgen Hesse and his side would be a huge boost for Liggies‘ campaign, and it would give them some breathing room as the promotion-relegation matches draw nearer.
Zwartkop, who will be hurting after last weekend’s wipeout, has home advantage against the only other unbeaten side in the section, Hoërskool Dinamika, of Alberton.
Dinamika’s two victories owed a lot to valuable contributions from their lower-order batsmen. They don’t boast a star-studded line-up and have rather relied on balanced team performances to deliver good results. The all-round experience of Branko Steenberg, a regular in the 1st XI for several years, however, is a big asset.
For Zwarries, Wynand Frylick will be a key performer. His middle-order batting and bowling will need to fire if they are to rein in a confident Dinamika outfit in Centurion.
In the capital of Limpopo, Hoërskool Pietersburg welcomes Hoërskool Centurion for Pieties‘ first Finsbury fixture on their home ground.
Pietersburg won against Lichtenburg their last time out, thus staying within reach of the log leaders. Khaya Majola all-rounder Stephan Swanepoel leads a strong and experienced batting line-up, which also features AJ Galloway and Hanru Marias, who are both in their third year of 1st XI cricket.
Centurion heads to Polokwane armed with the all-round skills of Morné Prinsloo, the younger brother of Charl Prinsloo of the Northern Cape Heat, and Morné Venter, who will need to shine if the visitors are to topple Pieties, who are usually a formidable proposition on their home ground.
