Noordheuwel strings together wins ahead of SA20 semi against Monument

Noordheuwel has been on a good run of form, racking up victories, ahead of their Schools SA20 Lions region semifinal tie against Monument on Friday.

Etienne Janse van Rensburg‘s charges booked a spot in the semifinals thanks to a batting masterclass from Ethan Smith, who struck an imperious 179, which helped Noordheuwel to an emphatic 232-run victory over South Hub last week.

Monument, meanwhile, dealt with Queens High, winning by six wickets, to secure their spot.

Smith was to the fore again on Tuesday as Noordheuwel claimed a tight eight-run win over Jeppe High School for Boys. The opener top scored with an outstanding 41-ball 55 that featured four fours and three sixes. He also shared a 74-run opening stand with Tidimalo Moeketsane,  which was Noordheuwel’s highest partnership of the match.

Smith’s effort was complimented by JD Bezuidenhout, who bagged a sharp four wickets for 17 runs in four overs to prevent Jeppe from chasing down their total.

Noordheuwel successfully built on that victory by subjecting Northcliff to a nine-wicket defeat in front of the Noordheuwel faithful 24 hours later. Janse van Rensburg did not need Smith to see his side home, this time around. The coach moved the regular opener down the order, leaving Corné Botha to display his class with an unbeaten half-century to see his side to another win.

Botha stroked eight fours and blasted three sixes for his 65 off 39 deliveries. He also shared an unbroken 80-run second-wicket partnership with Brandon Pieters (30) as they chased down Northcliff’s low score of 121.

Botha’s outstanding all-rounder qualities were on show throughout the contest. Earlier in the day, he had bagged three wickets for 13 runs in two overs to send Northcliff reeling. His bowling effort was complimented by Marius Penning, who picked up three wickets for 37 runs in three overs. The other four bowlers – JJ Basson, JD Bezuidenhout, Gomolemo Sibi, and Sage Pretorius – claimed a wicket each.

Etienne Janse van Rensburg, Noordheuwel’s head of cricket, will be hoping that his side can continue its productive run of form in their tie against their Krugersdorp rivals, Monument.

Summarised Scorecards

Noordheuwel 139/5 (Ethan Smith 55, JJ Basson 22*; Sipho Potsane 2/25, Shreshth Kumar 2/28); Jeppe 131/8 (Tiago Almeida 40, Sipho Potsane 19; JD Bezuidenhout 4/17, JJ Basson 2/21). Noordheuwel won by eight runs.

Northcliff 121/10 (Alexander Wiest 35, Kyle Davis 33; Corné Botha 3/13, Marius Penning 3/37); Noordheuwel 125/1 (Corné Botha 65*, Brandon Pieters 30*; Alexander Wiest 1/25). Noordheuwel won by nine wickets.

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CS Chiwanza

CS Chiwanza is a former poet and now a full-time storyteller of Southern African sports. He jokes that those who can't do a thing well enough either teach or write. He knows the right way to hold a cricket bat and the right grip for the wobbleball, but can't do either well enough to be picked for a good team. So he writes. However, he mastered the best dart grip and spends hours stat-padding against his wife and kids.

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