The defending champions posted a daunting 274/3 at the end of their 50 overs thanks to a brilliant, 177-run opening stand between J Malan and Olivier after they were put in to bat first. He smashed 111 runs from 117 deliveries (9 fours, 2 sixes) before his dismissal at the hands of Sean Whitehead, while the latter fell a gut-wrenching, three runs short of what would have been a well-deserved century of his own, when he was caught by Driaan Bruwer off Johan van Dyk on 97 off 142.

Janneman’s brother, Andre, added a quick-fire 52 off 39 balls (2 fours, 1 six) to get his side to a very good score in the end.

Kovsies’ reply was stifled by a rampant Pukke attack that saw Dylan Matthews (2/13), JP le Roux (2/18) and Jovaun van Wyngaardt (2/30) take two wickets each and restricting them to 186 in 43.4 overs. Opening batsman, Wihan Victor was the leading run scorer with a hard-fought 85 from 101 deliveries (10 fours). Janko Dreyer chipped in with a 59-ball 45, but it was not nearly enough to get their side within sniffing distance of a win.

At Irene Village Oval, Rubin Hermann and Blake Schraader were once again the stars with the bat for Tuks when they were asked to bat first by the Crusaders. They scored 58 and 51 runs respectively, with Migael Pretorius adding 45 from 28 balls to help the home side reach a competitive 258/8 at the end of their allotted overs.

Brendon Smith was the pick of the bowlers for the Crusaders, taking 4/62, while Jesse Smit was once again among the wickets, this time, returning 2/31.

A concerted effort by the Tuks bowlers ensured that they kept the Crusaders at bay during their chase. Rubens Trumplemann and Claassen both took three wickets, while Ruan de Swardt and Thomas Kaber returned two wickets each, leaving the Durban side all out on 180.

Andile Mokgakane top scored with 41 from 78 balls, while Ruben Hatting (33), Jesse Smit (30 off 25) and Riaan Minnie (30 off 43) rounded up the remaining notable contributions.

Tuks are top of the log.

In the last match of the day, Maties bounced back from their loss yesterday, beating University of Fort Hare by three wickets. Half-centuries by Neil Botha (71), Kyle Simmonds (58) and Jean Bredenkamp (53) saw the Western Cape side successfully chase Fort Hare’s 236-run target in spite of Simthembile Langa’s 3/29.

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

Players of the Match Winners

Maties vs University of Fort Hare: Kyle Simmonds

University of Free State vs NWU Pukke: Janneman Malan

Crusaders vs Tuks: Ruben Hermann

Day Three Fixtures

Fort Hare University vs Tuks – Irene Villagers Oval

Maties vs Kovsie CC – Sinovich Park

Crusaders vs – NWU Pukke – TUT Oval