Heinrich Klaasen smashed 139 runs from 120 deliveries to see Assupol Tuks end Day Three of the Momentum National Club Championships unbeaten after a resounding, 135-run victory over Fort Hare University in Pretoria on Monday.

The former three-time champions posted a hefty 295/6 at the end of their innings thanks to Klaasen, whose outstanding knock included 11 fours and three sixes. He was helped along by Thomas Kaber, whose impressive run in batting form continued, adding a 76-run 74.

Fort Hare’s Simthembile Langa was once again the leading wicket-taker for his side with 3/55, while the rest of the attack struggled. Bamanye Xenxe, Jerry Nqolo and Loyiso Mdashe could only manage a scalp each as Klaasen and Kaber took advantage of being asked to bat first.

Fort Hare’s batting reply did not get the chance to get off to a good start. SA U19s all-rounder, Mitchell van Buuren (4/37) and Kaber (3/21) took seven wickets between them seeing the Alice side off for 160. Mdashe and Nqolo top scored with 49 and 38 runs respectively.

At Sinovich Park, Kyle Simmonds hit an unbeaten 57 runs, leading Steinhoff Maties to a three-wicket win over University of Free State (Kovsie) in response to the latter’s 221/5 total.

Kovsie’s Janko Dreyer and SA U19s batsman, Reynard van Tonder scored a respective 72 and 53 runs after Francois Marais and Leus du Plooy got the innings started with their scores of 34 and 21 respectively. 

It was tough going for the bowlers during the Maties reply. Sean Whitehead was the best bowler for the Free State side with 2/42, but Isma-eel Gafieldien and Gerhard Erasmus both hit 45 runs and Ricardo Vasconcelos added 34 to the tally, allowing Simmonds to score freely, his 57 runs coming from 56 deliveries and giving Maties victory with just three balls to spare.

In the last match of the day, Standard Bank North West University (Pukke) continued their winning ways, this time, sneaking a two-wicket triumph over the Hollywoodbets Crusaders at TUT Oval.

Live scoring of all matches is available at www.websports.co.za.

Players of the Match Winners:
The university of Fort Hare vs Assupol Tuks – Heinrich Klaasen
University of Free State (Kovsie) vs Steinhoff Maties – Kyle Simmonds
Standard Bank NWU Pukke vs Hollywoodbets Crusaders – Riaan Minnie


Day 4 Fixtures
Fort Hare University vs Kovsie CC – Irene Villagers Oval
Assupol Tuks vs Standard Bank NWU Pukke – TUT Oval
Steinhoff Maties vs Hollywoodbets Crusaders CC – Tuks Oval