UMfolozi keep nerve to snatch victory
DESPITE the heroics of Empangeni Cricket Club’s Stephan Joubert, it was still not enough to avoid a one wicket defeat against uMfolozi in Saturday’s First Division Saturday 24 Over League match at Addison Park.
Joubert had a blinder of a game, ending unbeaten on 69 with the willow, completing a phenomenal catch in the deep and recording bowling figures of 4/36 in only five overs.
Empangeni captain Dewald Wessels won the toss and elected to bat first on a track that showed a number of cracks and produced bounce variations and movement.
‘I thought we could expose those cracks in the second innings when the pitch deteriorates and our four spinners got to work,’ said Wessels.
Empangeni reached 170/7 in their 24 overs, thanks to Joubert’s unbeaten 69 off 81 balls, which included seven fours.
Melvyn Jackson contributed with a quick-fire knock of 19 off eight deliveries (two sixes), the second highest score after the extras.
uMfolozi’s Paul Heaton-Nichols (3/36 in 6) and Daniel Udal (2/34 in 3) were the pick of the visitors’ bowling attack.
Empangeni got off to a great start, collecting early wickets and putting uMfolozi on the back foot.
But sloppy fielding crept in with a number of dropped catches aiding uMfolozi’s cause.
The lower order stepped up to the plate and turned the game around.
Nichols entered at number nine and smashed the ball to all areas of the park, smashing 32 off 20 balls (two fours and three monumental sixes).
The game was on a knife’s edge with uMfolozi needing nine off the last over with one wicket in hand.
But levelheaded batting from Richard van
Lelyveld (27 not out off
22) got the side over the line in the end.