The men from Stellenbosch narrowly defeated Madibaz, winning by six runs in the final over at the Ibbies Oval in Potchefstroom on Friday morning.
Madibaz won the toss and elected to field at a breezy, humid Ibbies Oval. Maties would have been satisfied with their start, reaching a steady 37 by the fifth over, before Tyler Smith was bowled by Tian Koekemoer for 17. Jean Bredenkamp came in and left an over later for just 4.
Maties were in a spot of bother when Gerhard Erasmus departed for 1 and the Stellenbosch students were on 48/3. Fritz de Beer and Isam-eel Galfieldien took the score to 70/3, before both fell adding just one run to the total.
Justin Dill and Fenito Mehl played a vital 41-run partnership as Maties reached 112, when Dill was bowled by Solo Nqweni for 18. Bt it was Niel Botha and Mehl who put Maties in with a shot, taking the score to 148/7, setting the PE men 149 for victory.
Madibaz started very slowly, but crucially held on to their wickets. Captain Mathew Christensen held most of the strike and soon his partner Kevin Carroll fell for just 6.
Lloyd Brown and Christensen looked in control for the Madibaz until Brown was struck on the head and had to retire hurt. But Vian Maritz carried on where Brown left off. Together with Aubrey Ferreira, the two took Madibaz to 112, before Ferreira fell to Mihlali May on 22.
At that point Madibaz had lay a solid foundation, but it would soon come crumbling down. Three wickets fell for just seven runs and although Maritz held on, his partners were sent back to the locker room one by one.
It was still a close finish, with Madibaz needing 13 off the final over, but they lost Brad Haller, who skied the ball to Tyler Smith and it was all over. Four off the final delivery was not enough to carry the men from PE home. Maties won by six runs, with a semifinal spot within reach and Madibaz’s hopes slipping away.
FNB Best Bowler: Tian Koekemoer (Maties)
Steers Best Batsman: Vian Maritz (Madibaz)
Samsung Man of the Match: Mihlali May (Maties)
The post Maties edge Madibaz in nail-biter appeared first on .