Nqolo magic does it
All-round performance propels Fort Hare to victory
JERRY Nqolo produced an excellent all-round performance as the University of Fort Hare emerged triumphant in a ferocious arm wrestle with Grahamstown neighbours Rhodes on the second day of the University Sport SA cricket week at Gelvandale yesterday.
After both teams had won their opening matches, yesterday’s showdown was vital to their chances of making the top-four playoffs.
Facing Fort Hare’s 182, Rhodes threatened to take control when Brendon Smith cracked three fours in an over before being run out, and then, with 20 needed from two overs, Sean Cresswell struck a six over extra cover after a wide off the first ball.
Needing 13 off 11 balls, Cresswell took a single, but No 11 Ross Waghorn was bowled by Mkhululi Calana off the next delivery to give Fort Hare an exciting victory, and, probably, a place in tomorrow’s Pool B topfour playoffs.
Earlier, with Fort Hare struggling at 43 for four, Nqolo (51) and Gionne Koopman (50) rescued them in a crucial stand, and Nqolo followed up with three for 31 in Rhodes’s innings.
NMMU trounced University of Johannesburg by nine wickets. With Brad Dolley taking a remarkable two for 14 in 10 overs, UJ slumped to 130 for nine, an easy target for NMMU thanks to an opening partnership of 125 from Eddie Moore (53 not out) and Aldre Nel (65).
UCT beat arch-Cape rivals Stellenbosch and University of Western Cape edged Pretoria University.