Pietersburg triumph over Merensky in Limpopo Super League, Ben Vorster get back to winning ways
Hoërskool Pietersburg managed to come out on top against Merensky in the Limpopo Super League on home soil.
The team from Polokwane managed to beat the defending champions by 66 runs in their round robin clash.
The home side opted to bat first and made use of batting friendly conditions.
After sustaining some early pressure from the Merensky attack, the Pietie batters quickly hit their stride and started cashing in.
Their onslaught was led by Nicholaas Oerlemans. Oerlemans notched up an impressive century at less than a run a ball before he was sent back to the pavilion by Kyle Crous, who claimed figures of 3 for 28 with a solid outing with the ball, accumulating 116 of only 102 deliveries.
His partner in crime, Hanno van Zyl, looked dangerous with a quick-fire cameo of 33 of 29 balls before he was trapped LBW by Luka Heinlein (2/60). The pair were well supported by Zandre van Rooyen (28, 48b) and Drian Hartslief (23, 41b) which helped the Pieties to a very defendable first innings total of 245 for nine in their allotted 50 overs.
Merensky’s innings got of to a rocky start as the visitors kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Michael Nel was the main thorn in the side of the visitors as he managed to claim three scalps for 39 runs.
For the visitors it was Alfred Nel who managed to steady a sinking ship. Nel played a matured innings of 36 from 46 deliveries before he was outfoxed by Nel.
He was well supported by the lower order in the form of Rinaldo Bornman (21, 20b) and wicketkeeper Waldo Pretorius (20, 39b), but it deemed not to be enough as the Plasies were bundled out for only 179 handing Pietersburg a convincing victory of 66 runs.
Ben Vorster managed to get back to winning ways after their defeat against Merensky beating Phalaborwa Hub by a thumping 145 runs.
The team from Tzaneen opted to make use of their home ground advantage and decided to bat first. Tristan Buglass laid down the law with his second half century in as many weeks scoring 66 of only 44 balls before he had to depart. The paceman, Nsuku Mathye, showed his abilities with the willow and played a good supporting role making 26 of 24 balls.
Tebogo Molapo deemed to be the shining light for Phalaborwa as the seam bowler claimed impressive figures of 2 for 17 in six overs.
Mathye used the momentum gained from his batting performance and came out firing with the ball.
The quick from Ben Vorster rattled a few cages with his intimidating pace to walk away with figures in a spell of 3 for 13, which included 22 dot balls in his five overs. For Phalaborwa it was once again Molapo, who showed character with a fighting knock of 15 from 20 balls, but it was short lived as the visitors were all out for a meagre 56.
Summarised Scorecards:
Pietersburg 245/9 (Nicholaas Oerlemans 116, Hanno van Zyl 33, Zandre van Rooyen 28, Drian Hartslief 23; Kyle Crous 3/28, Luka Heinlein 2/60) Merensky 179/10 (Alfred Nel 36, Rinaldo Bornman 21, Waldo Pretorius 20; Michael Nel 3/39, Zandre van Rooyen 2/16) Hoërskool Pietersburg won by 66 runs.
Ben Vorster 201/10 (Tristan Buglass 66, Nsuku Mathye 26, Njabulo Maseko 21; Tebogo Molapo 2/17, Teddy Khoza 2/46, Tabo Mabela 2/50, Robert Marima 2/28) Phalaborwa Hub 56/10 (Tebogo Molapo 15; Nsuku Mathye 3/13, Njabulo Maseko 2/8) Ben Vorster won by 145 runs.
Hoërskool Piet Potgieter 216/9 (Aeron Vaidyan 29, Du Preez Coetzee 26, Jeandre Strydom 20; Prosperity Matshabe 3/27, Nhlalala Malungani 3/47) Nkowankowa Hub 113/10 (Tracey Shivambu 18; Aeron Vaidyan 5/33, Du Preez Coetzee 2/35) Piet Potgieter won by 83 runs.
