Potchefstroom Gimnasium best in shortest format in North West
Potchefstroom Gimnasium claimed the mantle as the best in the shortest format in North West after beating Potchefstroom Volkskool in the North West T20 League Final on Thursday.
The Volkies won the toss and decided to bowl first looking to put the Gimmies under early pressure. However, Tommie Botha and Marnu Cronje had other plans as they counterattacked. Botha was the main contributor to the opening partnership.
The opening batter stood firm as he looked to play the anchor role and set a solid platform for those to come, falling just three runs short of a well-deserved half-century, making 47 of 54 deliveries.
Cronje, however, looked to take on the Volkies attack, making a quickfire 27 from 17 balls before he was sent back to the sheds.
After the opening pair’s departure, Volkies struck with two quick, vital wickets coming from the bowling of the impressive Diaan van der Merwe (2/11). Van der Merwe’s remarkable spell somewhat pulled it back for the Volkies, shifting the pressure back to their neighbours.
Righardt Joubert provided the emphasis needed at the back end with a vital, run-a-ball 25, to help his team reach 124/5 in their allotted 20 overs.
Potchefstroom Volkskool also had a wonderful start to their batting innings. Their stalwart southpaw in the top order, Ludwich Schuld, managed to get his side off to a blistering start with his 20 coming from only nine deliveries but had to depart soon after. Schulds’ opening partner, Attie Liebenberg (26, 18b) played wonderfully and together with the top scorer, Louis van Wyk (31, 30b), put Volkies in a comfortable position.
However, an inspiring spell from Christian Viljoen, claiming 3/16, swung the momentum back in the Gimmies’ favour. Viljoen found support from Caiden Seleka (2/9) and Zavier van Rensburg (2/15) as the trio tore through the Volkies lineup, restricting them to 117 all out, with the Volkies falling an agonizing seven runs short of their required target, handing Gimmies the champions mantle of North West.
Summarised scorecard:
Potchefstroom Gimnasium 124/5 from 20 overs (Tommie Botha 47, Marnu Cronje 27, Righardt Joubert 25; Diaan van der Merwe 2/11); Potchefstroom Volkskool 117/10 from 19.3 overs (Louis van Wyk 31, Attie Liebenberg 26, Ludwich Schuld 20; Christian Viljoen 3/16, Caiden Seleka 2/9, Zavier van Rensburg 2/15). Potchefstroom Gimnasium won by seven runs.
