Some breathing space for HTS Middelburg after a victory in Tzaneen
Stellar performances from Henco Britz and Armand Kotze gave Hoër Tegniese Skool (HT) Middelburg some much-needed breathing space following a commanding bonus-point victory over Merensky Landbou Akademie in Tzaneen on Saturday.
The win means that HTS is now well-placed to avoid the promotion/relegation fixture scheduled for 21 February. If they avoid that game, they’ll also retain their place in the Finsbury League‘s D Section.
Batting first at Merensky, the visitors produced their best performance at the crease this season, posting an imposing 253 all before bowling out Plasies for just 84 in reply.
Britz was the backbone of Middelburg’s innings, compiling a well-crafted 79 around which others could build. Kotze, however, proved to be the decisive figure with an outstanding all-round display that dictated the outcome of the contest.
Batting alongside Britz, he struck a fine 68, but he made an even bigger impact with the ball, capturing 4/30 from 7.4 overs.
Brussow de Wet (2/11) and Hugo Bierman (2/14), who also chipped in with 21 runs towards the HTS Middelburg total, shared a further four wickets as Merensky struggled to build any meaningful partnerships.
In Heidelberg, the Black Caps of Hoërskool Ben Vorster were unable to turn the tables on Heidelberg Volkskool, going down by four wickets. Quentin Dietrichsen starred for Volkies, claiming 2/11 with the ball before scoring a crucial 47 with the bat.
Batting first, Ben Vorster mustered 185 all out, led by opener Sontag Ramatsoma’s 42. Dietrichsen’s contribution, together with an unbeaten 38 from Vaughn Steynvaart, ultimately guided the hosts home despite a valiant effort from Dumisani Manyama, who claimed five of the six Heidelberg wickets to fall for just 34 runs.
In Klerksdorp, Hoërskool Dr Malan maintained their unbeaten record with a hard-fought 58-run victory over Hoërskool Wesvalia, despite tallying only a modest 152 all out.
After Michael Kinnear‘s devastating spell of 5/38 had left the visitors reeling, Giangi Morrico revived the Dokkies‘ innings with a defiant 32.
Although Dr Malan’s Heinrich Jansen van Rensburg failed with the bat, after scoring three centuries in succession, he made his presence felt with a decisive spell of 3/8. Jacques Nel, with 2/4, and Milan Nel, with 2/9, followed suit, sharing four wickets between them for just 14 runs.
A dramatic collapse during which seven wickets fell for only 22 runs proved decisive, with Wessies crashing to 94 all out.
Summarised scorecards
HTS Middelburg 253/10 (Henco Britz 79, Armand Kotze 68, Extras 34, Hugo Bierman 21; Altus Vorster 3/41, Yogi Brahmbatt 2/10, Schalk Rossouw 2/42); Merensky 84/10 (JP Botha 20, Xander Botha 20; Armand Kotze 4/30, Brussouw De Wet 2/11, Hugo Bierman 2/14). HTS Middelburg won by 169 runs.
Ben Vorster 185/10 (Sontag Ramatsoma 42, Extras 34, Cristiaan Duvenhage 29, Kulani Mnisi 29*, Dirk Nortman 21; Marlo Schoeman 2/2, Quentin Dietrechesen 2/11, Kehan Baird 2/48); Heidelberg Volkskool 186/6 (Quentin Dietrechesen 47, Vaughn Steynvaart 38*, Extras 33, Marlo Schoeman 26; Dumisani Manyama 5/34). Heidelberg Volkskool won by four wickets.
Dr Malan 152/10 (Giangi Morrico 32, Damian du Plessis 23; Michael Kinnear 5/38, Ethan Walker 2/34); Wesvalia 94/10 (Johanco Nel 29; Heinrich Jansen van Rensburg 3/8, Jacques Nel 2/4, Milan Nel 2/9). Dr Malan won by 58 runs.
