With three deliveries remaining in the match, the MTN Nelspruit Primary Lions needed one run and Coastal Hire Laerskool Nelspruit needed one wicket to win the Mpumalanga U13 Big Schools Cricket title.

Both teams were one ball away from victory.

The match was played at Nelspruit Primary on October 22.

Primary’s Roland Karimanzira hit the ball to short extra cover, and he and Uza Mpila ran the single that secured one of the school’s greatest-ever sporting achievements – they were the champions of Mpumalanga.

After winning the toss, Nellies elected to bat and posted 141 runs in their allotted 25 overs.

Christiaan Kok fell with the score on six on the final ball of the second over, run out by Nkazimulo Mthunywa.

George Neuhoff and Adriaan Vos made a 44-run partnership before captain Neuhoff was caught and bowled by Faiz Patel.

Durandt de Wet fell shortly afterwards, caught by Uza off the bowling of Oratile Cheune.

Luan Badenhorst then joined Adriaa for a 30-run partnership, before Primary claimed the vital wicket of the Nellies opener, bowled by Mthunywa.

Luan and Reuben Alexander steadied the innings with a 31-run partnership. Alexander was bowled by Faiz with the score on 120 after 21.4 overs.

The Lions toiled hard in the 36°C heat and restricted Nellies to just four runs in the last seven deliveries.

Laerskool Nelspruit scored 141 for eight.

Adriaan made a superb 44 off 56 balls.

Luan scored 32 off 31 deliveries, and Reuben smashed 27 off just 16 balls at a strike rate of 168.8.

Faiz took three for 18 in five overs at an economy rate of 3.6. Oratile’s four overs cost just 18 runs.

Lions chase down target

The match was on – and the mercury rose a degree as the Lions of Primary went in to bat.

Primary got off to a good start with a 53-run partnership between Oratile and Jayden Beck, before Jayden was caught by Durandt off the bowling of Reuben.Nkazimulo joined Oratile at the crease. Oratile fell with the score on 74, again caught by Durandt off a delivery from Reuben.

Faiz came in but was back in the pavilion shortly afterwards, bowled by Reuben for a duck.

Bandile Nyalynga and Nkazimulo put on 21 runs in a vital partnership, with Nkazimulo caught by Riwan van der Merwe off the bowling of Adriaan.

The next five wickets fell for just 23 runs. With just two overs remaining, Nelspruit Primary needed eight runs with only one wicket in hand.

The equation with three balls left: Nellies needed one wicket and Primary one run to decide the champion.

Roland then paddled the ball to short extra cover and the two Lions sprinted for the winning run.

That single was a reflection of Primary’s fighting spirit, not just in the final, but the whole season.

Primary won by one wicket.

Oratile scored 41 runs off 40 balls and Nkazimulo 20 off 28.

Adriaan took four for 23 in four overs. Reuben and Daine Viljoen each claimed two scalps. Reuben’s economy rate was 2.6.

Historic silverware for hosts

Scenes of jubilation followed as the MTN Lions celebrated a remarkable victory – one forged through courage, determination, composure and an unshakeable belief in one another. They had not only won a final; they had made history, becoming the first cricket team in Nelspruit Primary’s history to lift the Mpumalanga Big Schools title.

“To our boys – you have made your school, your coaches, your parents, your sponsors and the entire Nelspruit Primary School community incredibly proud. You fought for every run, stood tall under pressure and showed the heart of true champions. This is a moment you will remember for the rest of your lives. Thank you to all our parents who came out to support our boys throughout the season. Your support means the world to us,” said Johan Orton, marketing liaison officer for Nelspruit Primary.