Cricket carnival ends with Tuks taking the goods

It was a case of Déjà vu as the University of Pretoria Tuks made it two wins in a row at the 2016 Varsity Cricket tournament in Potchefstroom from 25-30 January this year.

Tuks beat UWC by 21 runs in a dominating display at Senwes Park last Saturday that showcased the team’s  professionalism and killer instinct – something the other sides lacked. Tuks will now defend their crown at the Red Bull Campus Cricket Championships in Sri Lanka later this year and hopes to add another trophy to its ever-growing cabinet.

The winners might have been the same, but this did not detract from the quality of cricket and the competitive nature of the universities that participated. There were numerous highs and lows for each team during the 31 games that were played at  Senwes Park, NWU Puk and Ibbies ovals.

Pukke were also on top of their game for the duration of the tournament but fell twice to their nemesis, Tuks, in the group stage as well as the semi-final, where they were comprehensively beaten.

There were many highlights for Pukke during the week, with Wihan Lubbe and Janneman Malan starring with the bat. JP le Roux also impressed with the ball in hand. Their impressive victories over Maties, UCT, UWC, NMMU and Kovsies showed their abilities to the full.

The entertainment factor also stood out during the tournament with crowds loving the action and excitement of the Powerplay Plus Over. Interestingly, the fielding side used the Powerplay to their advantage as well, with regular wickets falling with the pink ball.

Johan van Dyk of Kovsies got a hat-trick in the Powerplay Plus Over against NMMU and took the stuffing out of the Madibaz. Tuks used the Powerplay to their advantage against Pukke with a 34-run over as runs were doubled during that period. The Powerplay Plus Over was a game turner, for sure.

Compliments were also in full from Varsity Cricket management on the facilities at the 3 cricket grounds as well as the organisation of the week.

“The facilities of NW Cricket were excellent, the groundsman and his staff really went the extra mile to ensure the fields were in great shape for the matches. NW Cricket also assisted the university in getting the Ibbies and Puk ovals play-ready after some rain,” said Marisa Calvert, PR at Varsity Sport.