Pietersburg takes the spoils in 2023 final rematch, Baker bullies Ben Vorster
Hoërskool Pietersburg‘s 1st XI was buzzing after they powered their way to a seven-wicket win over the defending champions, Mohodi Boys Hub, on Saturday.
It was a sweet victory for the Pieties on their home oval over the team that beat them in the 2023 Limpopo Super Eight League final.
Nicholaas Oerlemans, who was part of that league decider last year and later went on to represent the Limpopo Impala u19 side at the Khaya Majola Week, did the bulk of the damage when the Pieties bowled first.He sent three batsmen back to the pavilion while only conceding seven runs. AJ Galloway played his part, too, picking 3/13 from six overs.
Those top bowling performances were well supported by a good effort from the Pieties’ fielders, which stopped the Mohodi batsmen from getting going on a surface which is usually a good one to bat on. Only Victor Sehata, Mohodi’s opening batsman, seemed comfortable out in the middle. He made 28 as the visitors slumped to 98 all out in the 27th over.
Facing a low victory target, the Pieties’ Hanno van Zyl showed his experience with the bat. He’s been an important member of the Pietersburgers’ batting lineup over the past three years and could well find himself representing the province’s u19 team later this year. Van Zyl struck a classy 36 not out from 46 deliveries, which anchored the home side’s charge to victory in the 25th over.
The Tzaneen derby between old rivals, Hoërskool Ben Vorster and Merensky Landbou Akademie, belonged to the all-rounder Timothy Baker.
He led the way with the bat for Merensky, smashing a quickfire 77 runs from 50 balls on Ben Vorster’s Renier Reyneke Oval. His innings included nine fours and five sixes as he and Cashan Jacobsz (27*) stabilised the visitor’s innings after the Ben Vorster captain, Njabulo Maseko (2/21), and his fellow opening bowler Stian du Randt (3/27), shared five wickets between them.
Later, in the field, Baker tormented the Vossie batters. He opened the bowling with his left arm off-spin and quickly picked up three wickets in six overs while conceding only 21 runs.
His opening partner, Luka Heinlein, was, as usual, among the wickets. An impressive five-over spell brought him a return of 2/17.
The Black Caps were unable to recover from those early setbacks and they tumbled to 82 all out, leaving Merensky the handsome winner by 106 runs.
Summarised scorecards
Mohodi Boys 98 (Victor Sehata 28, Kwena Mohloatshaba 20*; Nicholaas Oerlemans 3/7, AJ Galloway 3/13, Ignus Ferreira 2/15, Juan Rademeyer 2/26); Hoërskool Pietersburg 100/3 (Hanno van Zyl 36*, Stephan Swanepoel 21; Mahlodi Sekuba 2/25). Hoërskool Pietersburg won by seven wickets.
Merensky 188 (Timothy Baker 77, Extras 36, Cashan Jacobsz 27*, Rinaldo Bornman 26; Stian du Randt 3/27, Njabulo Maseko 2/21, Aiden von Straate 2/31, Amaris Nortje 2/42); Ben Vorster 82 (Extras 20, Amaris Nortje 18; Timothy Baker 3/21, Luka Heinlein 2/17, Kyle Crous 2/19). Merensky won by 106 runs.
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