As the hype around the newly launched Schools SA 20 grows, sides from the North West have already started fighting it out to see which school will be tasked with flying the union’s flag in the national finals.
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It was fitting that the first game, just after the reveal and launch of the revived schools’ T20 competition, was a clash of the North West Titans as Potchefstroom Gimnasium and their cross-town rivals, Potchefstroom Volkskool, met in a quarterfinal clash.
The day, very clearly, belonged to the Gimmies. They produced a scintillating bowling performance, which set them up for a comfortable eight-wicket victory.
Batting first, Volkskool struggled to construct any meaningful partnerships. Only Herman Hesse, who’s more often seen causing damage with the ball, was able to find any sort of rhythm with the bat. He led Volkies’ run-scoring, with 23 from 16 deliveries, while Ruan Smit, with 21, and Diaan van der Merwe, with 20, were the only other batsmen to move beyond the teens.
Bennet Keet led the Gimmies’ attack, capturing 2 for 14 from his four overs. He was well supported by Ruan Steenkamp, who kept Volkskool quiet through the middle overs on his wat to a superb return of 2 for 10 from his four overs. Henré Cronje and Jahndré Coetzee also bagged two wickets apiece, as Volkskool folded for 111.
Set a small victory target, Jahndré Coetzee took charge and cracked an unbeaten 53 to guide Gimnasium to victory. He received useful support from Divan van Eldik, who made 25, and Lukas Kotze, who was on 23 not out when Gim claimed the win.
Themba Sontjane was the only Volkies’ bowler able to make any inroads into the Potchefstroom Gimnasium batting lineup. He did a solid job, claiming two wickets while conceding only 14 runs from three overs, which included 11 dot balls.
Coetzee, for his 46-ball 53 not out and 2 for 24, was named the man of the match.
The reward for Gimnasium is a semi-final clash with the winners of the tie between Hoërskool Hartbeespoort and Rustenburg’s Fields College.
Scores
Potchefstroom Volkskool 111 (Herman Hesse 23, Ruan Smit 21, Dian van der Merwe 20; Ruan Steenkamp 2/10, Bennet Keet 2/13, Henré Cronje 2/23, Jahndré Coetzee 2/24); Potchefstroom Gimnasium 113/2 (Jahndré Coetzee 53*, Divan van Eldik 25, Lukas Kotze 23*; Themba Sontjane 2/14). Potchefstroom Gimnasium won by eight wickets.
Franco is a sports fanatic from Tzaneen, a small town in Limpopo. Obsessed with both cricket and rugby, he still does the sport at club level when given the chance. Combining the rush of sports with his other passion, writing, gives him the fix any sport-crazy fan needs. In his spare time, he spends quality time with family and friends, preferably around a braaivleis fire.
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