A brilliant, match-winning bowling performance from Gideon Pieters (4/14) saw Tuks sweep past UJ by 54 runs to book their spot in tonight’s final.
Tuks’ bowlers put in a stunning performance in the draining heat at Senwes Park as they restricted UJ to 131 all out. Earlier on Tuks put on put on 185/4 which was a big score concerning the pressure of a semi-final.
This is the fourth consecutive final that Tuks have made in Varsity Cricket and showcases their star power and ability to peak at the right time. Left-handed openers, Niel Brand (40 off 33) and Tony de Zorzi (66 off 55) were clinical as they smashed everything loose to the boundary.
Donovan Ferreira also scored a quick-fire 44 (23) to help Tuks to a big score. UJ made the worst start possible when hesitation caused in form batsman Joshua Richards to be run out for a duck.
Delano Potgieter and Neels Bergh took about to rebuild the innings and they combined for a strong partnership. Corbin Bosch though that he had gotten the wicket of Bergh with a sharp diving throw onto the stump, but Bergh made his ground by millimetres after the third umpire gave the batsman the benefit of the doubt.
The man with the golden arm, Donovan Ferreira then struck for Tuks as he got the huge with wicket of Potgieter LBW for 13. Tuks’ Pieters then also joined the party as he got rid of Ryan Rickelton for 9 and Juan Landsberg for 3 in almost identical fashion hitting balls straight up in the air.
A couple of run-outs also did not help UJ’s cause as they lost their way under pressure.
Samsung Man of The Match: Gideon Pieters (Tuks)
FNB Best Batsman: Tony de Zorzi (Tuks)
FNB Best Bowler: Gideon Pieters (Tuks)
Steers Best Catch: Katleho Bala (Tuks)
By Wouter Pienaar
