Tuks made mincemeat of CUT as the big dogs of the competition showed that their bark is as big as their bite, with a six-wicket win on Tuesday afternoon.
The match was all but over when CUT were dismissed for a paltry 104 runs. Tuks batsmen then strolled to their target with overs to spare, despite losing four wickets in a mini-slump ending on 105/4.
Tuks’ bowlers continued the good form they showed earlier in the morning as they restricted CUT to just 54/3 after the first 10 overs. The next 10 overs were utter chaos for CUT as Tuks wrapped up the innings in 16.2 overs.
CUT wickets fell like flies as Tuks sprayed the proverbial Doom on their opponents from Bloem. Poor shot selection and needless run-outs also compounded their problem.
The team in light blue lost their last six wickets for only 24 runs as the defending champions flexed their muscles in a dominant afternoon display at Senwes Park.
Sean Brand caused havoc with his spin, picking up (4/12) in three overs. Sean Gilson was also economical with his spin taking 3/5 in 2.2 overs.
Tuks batsman, Jiveshan Pillay (46 off 37) and Modiri Litheko (17 off 26) cruised to 40/0 after the first five overs with composed batting.
CUT struck back when Thiart Ingram dismissed Litheko for 17. That saw a succession of wickets tumble as Tuks suddenly found themselves at 77/4.
In the end, Francois van Heerden and Ruan de Swardt took the Pretorians home, to victory, with 26 balls remaining.
FNB Player of The Match: Sean Brand (UP Tuks)
MTN Pulse Bowler of the Match: Sean Brand (UP Tuks)
Steers Best Batsman: Jiveshan Pillay (UP Tuks)
Teams
CUT: Marx de Villiers, Thiardt Ingram, Jason Reubenheimer, Nealan van Heerden, Hannes Venter, Relebohile Phanyane, Iviwe Gwana, Eduan Coetzee, Keeno Orlein, Delano Williams, Calvin Flanegan.
Tuks: Neil Brand, Jiveshen Pillay, Modiri Litheko, Ruan de Swardt, Nkosinathi Msiza, Aaron Visser, Sean Gilson, Ruben Trumpelmann, Bonga Chepkonga, Kundai Matigimu, Francois van Heerden
By Wouter Pienaar
