It was high drama this morning in round 3 of Varsity Cricket action as semi-final places were decided by virtue of net run-rate in group B.

Group A winners NWU will face Group B runners-up CUT and Group A runners-up Tuks will take on unbeaten Maties in the semi-finals this afternoon.

Round 3:

Tuks sweep past Madibaz with ease

UP-Tuks claimed a five-wicket twin against a spirited Madibaz side in an intriguing low scoring contest.

The Madibaz posting 126/7 batting first, which looked like below par batting total. Bonga Chepkonga (2/19) and Thobani Xhakaza (2/8) were the standout bowlers for the home side.

Tuks looked in control in the chase when Jiveshen Pillay 32 (23) and Jack Lees 44 (37) were together at the crease, but three wickets in five balls took Tuks from 71-2 to 72/5.

Madibaz bowler, Brian Jack (3/20) was the top bowler in a solid bowling effort.

In the end, Lees found an able batting partner in James Richie 39 (18) whose blistering cameo took Tuks over the line and into the semi-finals.

Scorecard:

Madibaz: 126/7 – 20 overs

Tuks: 129/5 – 16.4 overs

Tuks beat Madibaz by 5 wickets

A case of what if for both UJ and UWC in thriller

UJ managed to edge UWC by 11 runs as the battle for semi-final spots heated up today in group B. It though proved to be anti-climactic as neither UWC nor UJ managed to qualify for the semi-finals by the smallest of run-rate margins.

UJ’s Shaveer Khan (3/28) was the top bowler for his side as they restricted UWC to 152/8 in 20 overs. It was just not enough as CUT managed to qualify for the semi-finals with a run-rate difference of 0.04.

A steady knock from Emmanuel Motswiri 33 (29) anchored the innings for UJ. Khan finished it off in style with a speedy 33 (19) that included two sixes and a four to give UJ a competitive total of 163/6 after 20 overs.

Both teams will look back on missed opportunities in an ultra-competitive group.

 Scorecard:

UJ: 163/6 – 20 overs

UWC: 152/8 – 20 overs

UJ beat UWC by 11 runs

CUT sneak into semi’s despite losing against Maties

Maties will face Tuks in the semi-final later today after beating CUT by four wickets in a pulsating contest. CUT also sneaked into the semi-finals despite losing, due to a superior net run-rate in group B after they were level on 4 points with UWC and UJ.

The men from Stellenbosch chased down CUT’s total of 176/7 thanks to a half-century from Ethan Cunningham 51 (35) as well as an aggressive 46 (26) from George van Heerden.

This victory illustrated Maties ability to chase down a target with relative ease.

Earlier, CUT’s Reece van Staden 83 (55) showed disdain for the Maties bowlers as his innings that included 6 fours and 5 sixes, took CUT to 176/7 in their allotted overs.

Maties wrist spinner, Benjamin Ward (3/30) was once again amongst the wickets.

Scorecard:

Maties beat CUT by 4 wickets

CUT: 176/7 – 20 overs

Maties: 178/6 – 20 overs

Botha smashes unbeaten century to send NWU to big win against Ikeys

NWU’s Eben Botha became the first batsman to score a century in the 2022 Varsity Cricket tournament with an undefeated 113* (58) as the NWU beat CUT by 74 runs.

The aggressive left-hander hit 14 fours and 4 sixes in an innings of commanding control and brutal precision.

The NWU made the perfect start with Botha and Taheer Isaacs (26 off 29 balls) putting on an 87-run opening partnership to set the wheels in motion.

NWU captain, Chris Britz (48 off 33 balls) joined the party and added a further 116 runs with Botha for the second wicket.

UCT-Ikeys faltered in the chase any could only muster 129/6.

Scorecard:

NWU: 203/2 – 20 overs

UCT: 129/6 – 20 overs

NWU beat UCT by 74 runs