The University of Pretoria (Tuks) are once again the Varsity Cricket victors after a comprehensive eight-wicket Duckworth Lewis win in a reduced-over final against the University of Johannesburg (UJ) at Senwes Park on September 7.
The Pretorians chased down 60 runs, required with 14 balls to spare, as their class and temperament shone through in the end as they claimed their fourth title in five years.
A frustrating floodlight failure delayed the match for two hours, before play resumed at 9pm with the match shortened to eight overs a side.
Earlier, UJ won the toss and selected to bat first, but lost the wicket of the dangerous Joshua Richards for four off the second ball. The blond paceman, Ruben Trumplemann, dismissed Richards, who was caught behind. Trumplemann struck again in the first over as he got the wicket of Delano Potgieter for a first-ball duck.
Kundai Matigimu got the first wicket for Tuks after the floodlight delay, dismissing Jacob Miltz for a duck to leave UJ at 7/3.
Sean Gilson’s spin bowling compounded UJs problems as he got the wicket of Juan Landsberg with a beautiful googly as UJ slumped to 19/5.
Glen Adams made a valiant 18 for UJ, but the ever-impressive Trumplemann bowled him neck-and-crop.
UJ made 60/7 after eight overs and needed to put in a heroic performance with the ball.
Chad Classen and Andrew Rasemene gave UJ hope with the ball as they had Tuks at 12/2 after two overs.
However, Neil Brand and Ruan de Swardt put on a composed and match-winning 55-run partnership to secure the win for UP-Tuks.
These two Tuks stalwarts finished the job in the powerplay over to retain the title.
