The NMMU-Madibaz put on a strong batting display to defeat UCT at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Thursday afternoon.
UCT won the toss and elected to field, looking to bounce back from their heavy defeat to UWC earlier in the day. But the men from Port Elizabeth had completely different ideas. They were 30/2 after the first two overs thanks to a combination of five boundaries by openers Mathew Christensen and Kevin Carroll, and the four wides by Stuart Cox in his first over.
UCT would have been relieved to have claimed the wicket of Christensen an over later thanks to the bowling of Kieran Hayne. But it was to be brief respite as the incoming Lloyd Brown along with Carroll, continued where the openers had left off.
Madibaz had a slight hiccup when Carroll and Vian Marnitz fell in the space of five balls, the latter going for a duck. But a steady partnership ensued and Aubrey Ferreira put on a quick-fire 31. Brown steadied reached 50 in some style with a six off the penultimate over.
Madibaz ended on 170/5, setting UCT 171 for victory.
The Capetonians got off to a much steadier, more controlled start than the Madibaz. Jack Newby and Taariq Chiektey took UCT to 22/0 in the first three overs.
In the fourth over Jason Davidson got the breakthrough, as Chiektey edged through to Vian Marnitz, who took a diving catch. Madibaz on 25/1. In the second ball after strategy break Junaid Dawood struck, trapping Brandan Tattum LBW.
Madibaz took the Powerplay Plus in the 12th over but would have been disappointed when Jack Newby was bowled and his team lost five runs. Wickets were in UCT’s favour, only four down, but the scoreboard wasn’t. They needed 65 off the final five overs after Matthew Hawken was runout taking an unnecessary second run.
Jamie Rood was bowled looking to go big, as the scoreboard pressure started to tell. Luke Stevens went after facing just two balls, then Jordan Leppan. Stuart Cox looked UCT’s last hope, but he too fell, caught on the boundary as UCT needed 37 to win off 10.
In the end UCT were all out for 146 with two balls remaining. Jason Davidson chief destroyer with 4/14.
FNB Best Bowler: Jason Davidson (Madibaz)
Steers Best Batsman: Lloyd Brown (Madibaz)
Samsung Man of the Match: Lloyd Brown (Madibaz)
