Pukke extended their 100% per cent winning record in the 2017 Varsity Cricket tournament with a comprehensive spin bowling performance and a superb 50 from wicketkeeper Edrich Lubbe to lead them to a 6 wicket victory against UWC on Wednesday night at Senwes Park.
Pukke chased down UWC’s modest total of 130/9 with three overs to spare on 132/4 with a determined Edrich Lubbe making it look easy on an up and down wicket under lights. Lubbe played a number of fantastic pulls, cuts and lofted drives in his unbeaten innings which include 9 fours at a strike rate of 160.6.
NWU Pukke captain Wihan Lubbe put the win in motion when he took 3/14 in his four overs to leave UWC in early trouble at 12/4. He was later ably assisted by Dylan Matthews who took 2/25 with his leg spin bowling.
UWC were in massive trouble from the start as four of their five top order batsmen were dismissed for ducks. It was only Tayo Walbrugh who showed some resistance with his 26 in the first 10 overs. Ironically it was number 10 batsman, Warren Stoman who top scored with 35 (20) as he showed his side’s batsmen how to get the job done.
Pukke had a difficult task in chasing 131 for the win as the pitch still had a bit in it for the UWC bowlers.
The experienced Lizaad Williams was the trump card for UWC and he got two big wickets picking up Lubbe and Janneman Malan in the first six overs. Williams ended up with 2/20 in four overs.
Ruan Haasbroek came in and he played two delightful cover drives for four. He and Lubbe steadied the ship, before Hanco Olivier joined Lubbe to set up a match winning partnership of 63 (33) to seal the win for the home university.
Pukke play their next match tomorrow (Thursday, 2 February) against Kovsies at Ibbies Oval from 14:00
