Nelspruit beat defending champs
The cricketers of Nelspruit beat Cardinals Impala 1 by a nail-biting 31 runs at Hoërskool Bergvlam on Saturday November 9. Impala won the toss and elected to field first.
Some wayward new-ball bowling got Nelspruit off to a flying
start until two quick wickets slowed the run rate down.
Diligent batting in the middle order by Corrie Minnaar (43) and Ampie Korff (48 not out) saw the champions end their 40 overs on a respectable total of 222 for seven wickets, with Impala conceding no less than 43 extras and their best bowler, Alwyn Viljoen two for 23 in eight overs.
Impala then were put under immediate pressure and lost two early wickets until a fighting 54 by Dawie Greef restored some hope. The regular loss of wickets, however, kept Nelspruit firmly in charge of the match.
Not even a stubborn 30 by Douglas Griebenouw and late flurry
of runs by the lower order could change the outcome and Impala 1 were bowled out for 191 runs in 35,4 overs with Corrie Minnaar taking four for 58 in 7,4 overs, giving Nelspruit a well-deserved victory by 31 runs.
