Hoërskool Trio battled their way to a four-run win at home against Hoërskool Witteberg in the second round of the Free State Rain Schools SA20 on Tuesday.
The visitors from Bethlehem decided to bowl first and had the Kroonstad side in serious trouble on 21/4 in the seventh over.
Robert van der Vyver then entered the fray and launched an incredible counterattack, clubbing nine sixes and stroking two fours in a lightning-quick 73 off only 32 balls.
Batting at eight, Heinrich de Wet hit a four and smashed four sixes in his 33 off 16. He and Van der Vyver combined for 79 runs off just 32 balls for the seventh-wicket.
Number 10 batsman, Zothile Zwane, provided Trio’s innings with a late boost and was unbeaten on 22 off 13 as the Kroonstad crew posted 174/9.
Three Witteberg bowlers picked up two apiece from their four overs. WJ Geldenhuis and Xander Fourie both claimed 2/25, while Juan du Toit collected 2/28.
In reply, opening batsman Xander Fourie followed up his good bowling performance with an explosive knock, striking 10 fours and two sixes to contribute an electric 65 off only 27 balls.
Captain Janco Botha, batting at three, weighed in with 46 off 40, sending five balls to the boundary and depositing another over it.
In contrast to Trio’s innings, which ended with a rush of momentum, the visitors struggled towards the end of their 20 overs. Two-thirds of the way into their innings, they had lost three wickets. They lost another three in the final third. That slowed down the run-scoring rate.
Run outs, executed by Iwan du Plessis and Theuns van Rensburg, also aided the hosts as they held on, restricting Witteberg to 170/6 from their 20 overs.
Anthonie Pelser stood out for Trio with the ball, capturing 3/33.
Summarised Scorecard:
Hoërskool Trio 174/9 (Robert van der Vyver 73, Heinrich de Wet 33, Zothile Zwane 22*; WJ Geldenhuis 2/25, Xander Fourie 2/25, Juan du Toit 2/28). Hoërskool Witteberg 170/6 (Xander Fourie 65, Janco Botha 46; Anthonie Pelser 3/33). Trio won by four runs.
