Waterkloof bowlers secure another Fain Noordvaal Final berth
Waterkloof’s bowlers proved too strong for the Garsfontein Ysbere batting lineup on Saturday in the semifinals of the Fain Noordvaal competition. The Klofie attack, which was spearheaded by the consistent Jacques van Niekerk, managed to bundle Garsfontein out for a modest 137 on home soil.
Van Niekerk made an indifferent start as he struggled to find his rhythm. However, after a couple of solid overs, he turned up the heat and captured 2/25.
Alongside Van Niekerk, Hernus Marais impressed with a fiery new-ball spell, sending down eight overs and returning figures of 2/31.
Franco Cronje continued his wicket-taking form, picking up 2/21 in five.
It was a bleak day for the batsmen of the Ysbere who were placed under heavy pressure throughout their innings by the Waterkloof bowlers.
Stefan van Staden looked promising, in a knock of 29 from 38 balls but, like his teammates, he found a way to get himself out.
An untimely run out cut Gustav Beer’s innings short, just as he had started to look comfortable at the crease. Nonetheless, he contributed an entertaining 25 from 34 deliveries.
The Klofie batsmen then made it clear that they wanted to attack the victory target of 138. Wian Ruthven got his side off to flyer, cracking a ruthless 20 from just 12 balls, while Marcus Bakker raced to 28 before losing his wicket.
This, however, set the stage for Divan Behrens and Beukes van den Berg. Behrens settled into playing the anchor role and weighed in with 20 in an 82-run partnership with his captain.
Van den Berg, who has a knack of performing well on the bigger stages, carved out a well-played unbeaten 58 from 59 deliveries to direct Waterkloof comfortably across the line in only the 26th over, thus securing another place in the Noordvaal competition’s final for his side.
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Summarised scorecard
Garsfontein 137/10 (Stefan van Staden 29, Gustav Beer 25; Jacques van Niekerk 2/25, Hernus Marais 2/31, Franco Cronje 2/21): Waterkloof 138/2 (Beukes van den Berg 58*, Marcus Bakker 28, Divan Behrens 20*, Wian Ruthven 20: Stefan van Staden 1/33). Waterkloof won by eight wickets.
