UJ dampened the Madibaz spirit when they beat them by 13 runs at the Ibbies Oval in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.
Madibaz won the toss and elected to field, which proved to be a smart choice as they snatched their first wicket in just the second over. Despite the early wicket, UJ were cruising along nicely and were looking comfortable on 78 runs midway through their innings.
UJ Shortly after UJ hit the 100-run mark, they lost the important wicket of Joshua Richards falling just short of his half-century on 49 runs. UJ called their power play in the 18th over and capitalised when they added 34 runs to their score, taking them to 150/3 with two overs remaining.
Madibaz captain Joshua van Heerden saved his most impressive performance for the final over. He was the catalyst in the run-outs of both Delano Potgieter and Muhammed Mayet. Despite a shaky final over, UJ still managed to set a strong 168-run target for Madibaz to chase in the second innings.
After a good first over for Madibaz, the runs dried up and with the scoreboard pressure mounting, UJ made the breakthrough in the sixth over. Sean Callaghan fell for just 17 runs, as Tristan Stubbs came to the wicket with his side on 34/1.
Madibaz continued in search of runs, but their reliable man, Stubbs, was dismissed before he could settle at the crease. Captain Joshua van Heerden held firm, as wickets tumbled at the other end. He reached his half-century, shortly before falling victim to Delano Potgieter – caught and bowled..
His innings was not enough to carry his team home. They lost a wicket in the final over, and eventually fell short of UJ’s total by the very narrow margin of 13 runs.
FNB Player of the Match: Cameron Shekleton (UJ)
MTN Pulse Bowler of the Match: Sean Callaghan (Madibaz)
Steers Best Batsman: Joshua van Heerden (Madibaz)
Teams
Madibaz: Sean Callaghan, Joshua van Heerden, Tristan Stubbs, David Masterson, Michael Hansel, Morne Venter, Mark Amm, Hlumelo Cekisani, Tlangelani Mushwana, Faheem Nomani, Neo Pepeta
UJ: Glen Adams, Joshua Richards, Cameron Shekleton, Juan Landsberg, Delano Potgieter, Muhammed Mayet, Connor de Boer, Clayton Malgas Jacob Miltz, Andrew Rasemene, Kamogelo Selane
By Bronwen Bain
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