In a much anticipated clash, Universals travelled to OH to contest the other semi-final of the national league. OH have been unbeaten in the league this year, but both teams boasted impressive teams with national players available for the match. For Universals, Alistair Campbell and Everton Matambanadzo returned, whilst Gary Brent was included in the OH side.

Universals won the toss and opted to bat on a good track. They made a solid start with openers Darlington Matambanadzo and Brad Robinson. The OH bowling was exceptionally tight and Bryan Strang and Eddo Brandes made life very difficult for the batsmen. Again, all the top batsmen made a start, but failed to carry on and make the big score. As a result the Universals run rate was always under pressure, and in the end had to settle for 182/6 off their allotted 50 overs. Brandes again proved his current form, conceded just 14 runs in his 7 overs. The OH bowlers conceded only five extras, all of them bowled by Dirk Viljoen.

The total was never likely to be enough to keep out OH, despite the strong Universals bowling attack. Everton Matambanadzo, captain for the day, bowled with pace and aggression, but lacked control and conceded 7 no balls and 9 wides in his 9 overs. David Mutendera, keen to improve on last weekıs effort and still fresh from coaching by legend Dennis Lillee, found form and bagged the three early wickets of Brandes, Brent and Lamb to have OH floundering on 40/3. But even Mutendera lacked control at times, and conceded six wides. Dirk Viljoen celebrated his recall to the national squad for the home series against England with the only 50 of the weekend, but was dismissed with the total on 112/5 and Universals still with an outside chance of victory. Captain Trevor Penney and Bryan Strang had other ideas, and some big hitting from the latter put the result beyond doubt, and OH won comfortably in the end by five wickets with 16.4 overs to spare.

For Universals, they will be concerned at the large number of extras conceded ­ 14 no balls and 19 wides ­ compared to their counterparts, especially when defending a modest total. The extras total of 43 was the second highest score for OH.

OH are now clear favourites to win the league when they take on Alexandra in the final on 27th February.