Date-stamped : 07 Mar96 - 02:15 Transvaal v Free State Benson & Hedges Series Played at Springbok Park, Bloemfontain 20 February 1996 Transvaal in Semis after Narrow Win Bloemfontein - In one of the most exciting Benson & Hedges Series day/night matches of the season, Transvaal clinched a thrilling three-wicket victory over Free State with one ball to spare at Springbok Park. Free State, sent in to bat by Transvaal's New Zealand skipper Ken Rutherford scored a respectable 254 for five from their allotted 45 overs, with Gerhardus Liebenberg the main contributer with an unbeaten 85. Opener Deon Jordaan weighed in with a useful 52. Stefan Jacobs was the pick of the Vaal bowlers, bagging three wickets for 45 runs in nine overs. The visitors then patiently compiled 256/7 of 44.5 overs to book their plsce in the semi-finals of the competition. The match was delicately balanced throughout, until the second last over of Transvaal's innings when needing 20 run off 12 balls. Going for a big hit, Nic Pothas was dropped on the boundary by Bradley Player. Off the second last ball of the match, Pothas hoisted paceman Nico Pretorius over the point boundary for four to clinch the victory. However it was Rutherford's quick-fire 78 which earned him man-of-the-match. Free State now have to beat Northern Transvaal to earn a place in the semi-finals. Contributed by Tony.Hassett (hasett@scientia.up.ac.za)