Author: mbloem

Rondebosch Boys’ High vs Paarl Boys’ High

Paarl Boys’ High won the toss and opted to bat first in their limited-overs bout against Rondebosch Boys’ High on Saturday. They lasted almost their full allotment of 50 overs, finishing on 232 all out from 49.3.

Opener AB Jacobs provided some impetus up front, making 30 before his departure left Boishaai on 65/2.

Christo Muller replaced him and set about the ‘Bosch bowlers, striking six fours and two sixes in his hefty 82 off 81 balls.

Entering the contest after the fall of the third wicket, Reese Petersen contributed 24 in a 68-run fourth-wicket partnership with Muller.

Arin Spiller and Alex du Plessis were the most successful Rondebosch bowlers, with Spiller nabbing 2/42 in 10 overs, while Du Plessis claimed 2/36 from eight.

In reply, Rondebosch opener Romano Pedro just missed out on a half-century. He spent 64 balls at the crease and hit five fours and a six in his 49.

Timothy Short and Raa’id Davids boosted the Rondebosch response with a 67-run sixth-wicket partnership, with Short’s contribution of 45 off 52 featuring five fours and two sixes. Davids recorded a flashy and unbeaten 34 off 22, with six fours.

Zion van Rensburg and Davids then delivered ‘Bosch to victory with an unbroken 66-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Van Rensburg finished with 28 not out at better than a run a ball.

Ed-Lee Koopman led the visitors’ bowling attack with 3/54 in 8.2 overs, and Christo Muller bagged 2/62 in eight overs.

It took Rondebosch 42.2 overs to reach 236/7, thus scoring a three-wicket victory.

Grey High vs Boland Landbou

Boland Landbou visited the Pollock Oval for a 40-over showdown with Grey High on Saturday. They chose to bat first after winning the toss.

Beaten by St Andrew’s College the previous day, the Farmers were eager to return to winning ways, but their innings never caught fire and, after only 30.2 overs, they were all out for just 124.

Alejo Nota led the Grey High attack, knocking over 4/19 in 6.2 overs, while Logan Groch picked up 2/17 and Connor Parry 2/22.

Johannes Goosen top-scored for Boland Landbou. Batting fifth in the order, he went on the offensive, smashing four fours and two sixes in his rapid 45 off 33 balls.

Gunther Schmidt looked promising, but his innings was ended by a run out, the product of good work between James Upton and Logan Goddard-Ford, when he had 20.

Grey High’s run chase was built around a 71-run second-wicket partnership between opener James Upton and Connor Parry, batting at three. Upton contributed a circumspect 39 off 72, while Parry sent six deliveries to the boundary in his 43 off 64. Logan Goddard-Ford weighed in with 22 off 34, and Grey High won by six wickets after spending 31.1 overs at the crease.

Kobus Conradie captured 3/38 in seven overs, but Grey High walked away with the win.

Summarised Scorecard

Paarl Boys’ High 232/10 (Christo Muller 82, AB Jacobs 30, Reese Petersen 24, Tom Krige 22; Alex du Plessis 2/36, Arin Spiller 2/42); Rondebosch Boys’ High 236/7 (Ramano Pedro 49, Timothy Short 45, Raaid Davids 34*, Zion van Rensburg 28*, Ethan De Heer Kloots 23; Ed-Lee Koopman 3/54, Christo Muller 2/62). Rondebosch won by three wickets.

Boland Landbou 124/10 (Johannes Goosen 45, Gunther Schmidt 20; Alejo Nota 4/19, Logan Groch 2/17, Connor Parry 2/22); Grey High 125/4 (Connor Parry 43, James Upton 39, Logan Goddard-Ford 22; Kobus Conradie 3/38). Grey High won by six wickets.

Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Wynberg Boys’ High

When the toss went Wynberg Boys’ High‘s way against Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) on Saturday morning, they sent their Stellenbosch hosts out to field first in their 50-over contest.

PRG met the challenge head-on, with Morné Pauw dismissing both openers, on his way to a return of 2/35 from six overs.

Wynberg hit back through Noah du Plooy, batting at three, and Hugo Norambuena, at four, who were the only visiting batsmen to build a solid partnership. Together, they added 58 runs for the third wicket.

Norambuena cracked three fours and a six in his tally of 31 off 45, while Du Plooy whacked two fours in a contribution of 29 off 69.

Marcus Conradie backed up the good work done by Morné Pauw by picking up 2/21 in seven tidy overs. Roux Joubert fared even better. He dismissed the big hitters in the middle-order before returning to clean up the tail to finish with a telling 4/26 from 10 overs.

After 45.3 overs, Wynberg was all out for 164.

Paul Roos Gimnasium’s reply was led by Janko Webb, who continued his outstanding form by smashing 11 fours and three sixes in an unbeaten 98 off 83 balls.

Marcus Conradie chipped in with 23, and Christiaan Fouché made 22, as PRG reached 164/7 after 30.2 overs to win by three wickets.

Damian Harris was the only visiting bowler to claim multiple wickets, claiming 2/32 in 7.2 overs.

Parel Vallei High vs Curro Durbanville

Parel Vallei High produced a tidy effort in the field against Curro Durbanville on Saturday to set them up for a home win in their 40-over contest.

Openers Alex van der Westhuizen and Reece Bald gave the visitors a sound start with a 61-run opening stand, with Van der Westhuizen making a patient 21 off 68 balls, while Bald took the lead, cracking eight fours in his 41 off 35. Number three batsman, Ryan Lategan, struck two sixes and two fours in a useful 36 off 59.

After the top three exited, James Miller took charge with the ball, bowling all four of his victims in a six-over spell that brought him 4/24. Daniel Adonis chipped in with 2/17 from four, while Dirk van Zyl took 2/49 in 10.

After an encouraging start, Curro Durbanville was dismissed for a modest 133.

Parel Vallei was rocked when Ryan Lategan dismissed both openers. Once they were gone, though, PV hit the accelerator and raced towards the finishing line. Lategan did his best to keep them in check, picking up 3/26 in five overs.

Number three batsman, Daniel Adonis, was having none of it, though. He roared to 84 not out off only 38 balls, blasting nine fours and four sixes. Chris Hughes helped with 20 off 22 balls.

With Parel Vallei batting at 8.6 runs per over, the chase lasted only 15.4 overs, and it ended with Parel Vallei, on 134/3, the winners by seven wickets.

Summarised Scorecard

Wynberg Boys’ High 164/10 (Hugo Norambuena 31, Noah du Plooy 29, Fawaaz Hendricks 21, Extras 20; Roux Joubert 4/26, Marcus Conradie 2/21, Morné Pauw 2/35); Paul Roos Gimnasium 167/4 (Janko Webb 98*, Marcus Conradie 23, Christiaan Fouché 22; Damien Harris 2/32). Paul Roos won by six wickets.

Curro Durbanville 133/10 (Reece Bald 41, Ryan Lategan 36, Alex van der Westhuizen 21; James Miller 4/24, Daniel Adonis 2/17, Dirk van Zyl 2/49); Hoërskool Parel Vallei 134/3 (Daniel Adonis 84*, Chris Hughes 20; Ryan Lategan 3/26). Parel Vallei won by three wickets.

St. Andrew’s College vs Boland Landbou

After their fixture against Kingswood College was washed out by rain on Thursday, Boland Landbou was happy to walk out to the crease against St. Andrew’s College on Friday.

After College won the toss and chose to field in the 40-over clash, the Paarl outfit responded with 223 all out in 39.5 overs.

Boland Landbou captain Francois Prins entered the fray at four and smashed eight fours and four sixes in an explosive 79 off 45 balls. Tailender, Caleb Seroot, impressed with five fours in an unbeaten 51 off 61.

Ethan Malan dismissed two middle-order batsmen for ducks in his 4/56 from eight overs, while Thomas Bussiahn captured 2/24 in a three-over spell.

When St Andrew’s College took to the crease, Kobus Conradie dispatched both opening batsmen, on his way to 2/37 in eight overs. It was, nonetheless, a fairly straightforward chase for the home side.

Connor Holder batted superbly at four to lead the run pursuit, bludgeoning four fours and six maximums in a ferocious 116 off 84 deliveries.

Caleb Emslie, the next man in, partnered Holder for 140 runs for the fourth wicket, and was undefeated on 49 off 47 at the end.

St Andrew’s made it over the line with 15 balls to spare, reaching 227/3 to record a comfortable seven-wicket margin.

Milnerton High vs Hoërskool Parel Vallei

Also on Friday, Milnerton High hosted Parel Vallei High (PV), also in a 40-overs-a-side clash.

Millies won the toss and elected to field first. At first, PV struggled for consistency, but Chris Hughes, their number four batsman, and Divan Sander, batting at six, delivered it.

Hughes aimed to survive, and he took up 49 deliveries to contribute 25 runs. Sander’s innings, which included two fours, provided a similar return. He top-scored with 32 off 54.

Tristan Logie and Bradley Barnes were the home side’s dangermen, with Logie capturing 3/32 in eight overs, while Barnes nabbed 3/30 in his eight overs as Parel Vallei accumulated 138/9 after their 40.

Millies got off to a slow start in reply. Ryan Trollip, with 24 off 39, produced the best return from their top four. Arriving in the middle at six, Tristan Logie matched PV’s Sander with the match’s top score of 32 runs, with his knock featuring two fours and two sixes.

Each of the five bowlers used by Parel Vallei bowled their full quota of overs and picked up a wicket, except Daniel Dreyer, who claimed 2/23 and was also involved in a run out.

Milnerton’s innings lasted to the final ball of their 40 overs, when they were all out for 126, leaving Parel Vallei with a tight 12-run win.

Summarised Scorecards

Boland Landbou 223/10 (Francois Prins 79, Caleb Seroot 51*, Johannes Goosen 29, Louis du Plessis 28; Ethan Malan 4/56, Thomas Bussiahn 2/24); St Andrew’s College 227/3 (Connor Holder 116*, Caleb Emslie 49*, Corné van der Merwe 23; Kobus Conradie 2/27). St Andrew’s College won by seven wickets.

Parel Vallei High 138/9 (Divan Sander 32, Chris Hughes 25; Bradley Barnes 3/30, Tristan Logie 3/32); Milnerton High 126/10 (Tristan Logie 32, Ryan Gretchel 24; Daniel Dreyer 2/23). Parel Vallei won by 12 runs.

SuperSport Schools Plus asked Stellenberg 1st XI Coach Michael Thomas: “What’s one thing that you’d like people to say about this current team when looking back down the road in five years?”

“Above all else, I want people to look back and recognise us as a team of fighters. We don’t see any need to back down from a challenge,” Thomas replied.

After the Covid-19 pandemic halted a successful start to Stellenberg High’s cricket evolution under Michael Thomas, the 1st XI coach spent some time indoors, sitting at his desk, and devising a plan to ascend the pecking order of Western Cape schoolboy cricket.

“I started in 2019, where we had a great season, winning 23 out of 25 games. I left because of Covid-19, and I returned in 2023, with the belief that we could build something special.

“I produced a plan to build teams over a three- to four-year period.

“I believe in experience, which is why we currently have more than seven players with over 60 caps. Last year, we had Kyle van Santen reaching 100 caps, and this season, Gerrard Kamalie will also reach 100 caps,” Thomas said.

“If you’re good enough, then it doesn’t matter if you’re younger than some of the other players. You can play u19A cricket. Part of the plan involves remaining consistently competitive. That’s why you need loads of caps.

“Currently, I am at 130 games as coach of the Stellenberg High 1st XI. Ending fourth at the Wildeklawer Cricket Festival last year is something which I also see as a highlight and a sign of progress.”

When asked about who introduced him to cricket, Coach Thomas responded: “My Dad. He bought me my first Gunn & Moore cricket bat when I was 3 years old. That got me going.”

His passion for coaching developed soon after he entered adulthood: “I always had a passion for teaching children, and had been wanting to give back what the game had given to me as a player over all these years,” he explained.

“I wanted to coach at the top level, and will always be grateful for the opportunity which Stellenberg awarded me back when they approached me about the position. Cricket is a sport that has always brought me comfort.”

Reflecting on some of the highlights of his time in cricket, Thomas said: “I played provincial cricket from u13 to u19 for Western Province. I then played One-A level cricket for 13 Seasons at Durbanville Cricket Club.

“As a coach, winning four times in four matches at the Paarl Boys’ High Festival in 2025 and 2026, beating Paarl Gim u19A in 2023, winning three Interschools matches versus Hoërskool Durbanville, and also winning the Northern Suburbs competitions last season in both the 25- and 50-over formats.”

Thomas also shared his sporting heroes with SuperSport Schools Plus: “As a player, my favourite cricket hero was Steve Waugh – hard as nails, and he never backed down from any challenge. Coaching-wise, Gary Kirsten always impressed me. He always speaks positively and remains calm.”

Turning the focus to the Stellenberg 1st XI, coach Thomas said he prioritises consistency: “I always wanted a team that will fight, but still do the basics well.

Over the years, we have learnt how to win the small battles; we do it by always doing the basics well. We are now starting to find consistency as a result.”

Stellies recently defeated both SACS and Rondebosch Boys’ High, and went down to Wynberg Boys’ High by a single wicket, in successive weeks – concrete proof that the evolution is charging full steam ahead.

Those results have made people sit up and take notice. Now, the focus is on maintaining that consistency. It’s Michael Thomas’s priority, and it has helped Stellenberg shake up the schoolboy game.

Playing at the Stellenberg Cricket Ground on Tuesday afternoon, Wynberg Boys’ High was the hosts’ third southern suburbs opponent in the last three weeks.

It was a dangerous assignment. Stellies had beaten SACS and Rondebosch Boys’ High on the previous two Tuesdays.

The home side won the toss and chose to bat first, but they found the going tough against a disciplined Wynberg attack. Wilhelm Smet, batting at three, was the only batsman to make it into double digits, top-scoring with 23 off 25 balls.

Wynberg used only five bowlers, with all of them bowling their full quota of five overs.

Josh Nicholson tied Stellenberg down, capturing 3/9, while Damien Harris claimed 2/15 and Nicholas Stafford 2/20.

At the end of their 20 overs, the Jade Brigade had mustered only a modest 83/9, but they fought tooth and nail to protect it.

In the run chase, Wynberg captain, Michail Tarentaal, and Joshua Prince shared a 32-run fourth wicket partnership to lift their side from a precarious 12/3 after 2.3 overs, to a more palatable 44/4 after 8.2 overs.

Tarentaal bludgeoned two fours in his 15 off 16, while Prince hit two fours and a six in his 18 off 21 as Wynberg clawed their way towards the Stellenberg total.

A dangerous trio of Stellies’ bowlers claimed two victims apiece in their four-over spells.

Aiden Pienaar dismissed both openers for ducks in his 2/15, while Liam Fourie was more influential in the middle overs, knocking over 2/18. Gerrard Kamalie almost cleaned up the tail with his return of 2/12 in 3.2 overs.

Wynberg, though, scraped home in the final over when they reached 84/9 to win by one wicket with only four balls to spare.

Summarised Scorecard

Stellenberg High 83/9 (Wilhelm Smit 23; Josh Nicholson 3/9, Damien Harris 2/15, Nicholas Stafford 2/20); Wynberg High 84/9 (Gerrard Kamalie 2/12, Aiden Pienaar 2/14, Liam Fourie 2/18). Wynberg Boys’ High won by one wicket.

Hosting the Western Cape’s Switch Schools SA20 champion on Saturday, Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) sent the visiting Paarl Boys’ High out to bat first in their 50-over contest. That proved to be a good decision.

Morné Pauw removed both openers and went on to record figures of 2/26 in eight overs. Enré van Zyl racked up 3/27 in eight overs, too, while James Holm chipped in with 2/23 across nine overs.

Boishaai openers Roan Heyns and Neil Louw top-scored for their side. Heyns whacked five fours in an otherwise cautious 45 runs off 98 balls. Louw, meanwhile, hit three fours in his 21 from 37.

The visitors were kept under pressure throughout their innings and batted at only 3.3 runs per over before being bowled out for 134 after 41 overs.

Janko Webb, who hit two centuries in January, led the chase for Paul Roos. Batting at four, he launched four sixes and punched away four fours in his unbeaten 51 off just 29 balls.

Marcus Conradie, at five, entertained with five fours and two sixes in his 39 and, together with Webb, shared a 78-run fourth-wicket partnership off only 56 deliveries, which ended when they reached 134. Conradie’s departure delayed the inevitable, however, with only one run required for victory.

Webb brought it up in style, cracking a six to get the Stellenbosch outfit to 140/4 at the 41-over mark, and leaving them with a six-wicket win.

Summarised Scorecard

Paarl Boys’ High 134/10 (Roan Heyns 45, Extras 23, Neil Louw 21; Enré van Zyl 3/27, James Holm 2/23, Morné Pauw 2/26); Paul Roos Gimnasium 140/4 (Janko Webb 51*, Marcus Conradie 39). Paul Roos won by six wickets.

Hoërskool Fichardtpark vs Hoërskool Jim Fouché

Playing at home in a 50-over fixture on Saturday, Hoërskool Fichardtpark decided to field first against their Bloemfontein rivals, Hoërskool Jim Fouché (JF).

Third to don the gloves and helmet, Eckard Meyer, was the first batsman of the day to get some momentum going for the visitors, striking five fours in his 28 runs off 31 balls.

JF’s innings peaked with Cobus Wilken, their number five batsman, who thrashed four fours in his 38 off 33.

The other JF batsmen struggled to get going against Dillon Geringer, who captured 4/21 in seven overs, while Neven Olivier kept them in check with a return of 2/31 from 6.1 overs.

In just 25.1 overs, the hosts bowled out Jim Fouché for 123 runs.

It appeared that a routine run chase awaited Fichies, but they found it to be tough going. Jareth Scott cleaned out two top-order batsmen in his tidy 3/21 from 10 overs, while André Kleyn also dented the hosts’ run chase, knocking over 2/16 in 5.3 overs.

Davyd Oosthuizen, who arrived at four, kept Fichardtpark’s innings moving, however. Rather than a flashy knock, he did exactly what was needed, sticking to the basics and playing each ball on its merits to tally 43 off 69.

Jayden Geldenhuis, batting at five, rotated the strike and made 24 off 41 balls in their fourth-wicket partnership of 46 runs.

It took them 38.3 overs, but Fichardtpark, at last, overhauled JF, totalling 127/7 to secure a hard-fought three-wicket victory over their rivals.

Hoërskool Bethlehem Voortrekker vs Hoërskool Sentraal

Hoërskool Bethlehem Voortrekker‘s Paul Naudé batted fifth in their batting order. However, he was first in runs contributed against Bloemfontein’s Hoërskool Sentraal, the visitors, on Saturday, for a limited-overs contest.

He produced the match’s key innings, blasting 12 fours and four sixes in his 94 off 98 deliveries, which helped Voortrekker to 278 all out in 46.2 overs.

Vlag Janse van Rensburg, batting at four, excited spectators with 10 fours of his own in a telling 53 off 47 balls. When Naudé joined him, they hit the accelerator, adding 64 for the fourth wicket to take their side from an iffy 46/3 after 13 overs to 110/4 after 24.2.

Thys Parsons, at eight, also made a notable contribution, slamming three sixes and two fours in a speedy 33 off 19.

While Caylem Friend and Danny Botes grabbed two wickets apiece, it was Ruardt Kleynhans who boasted the best Sentraal figures of 4/41 from 7.2 overs.

While Voortrekker’s Vlag Janse van Rensburg played second fiddle with the bat, he was the top-dog with the ball, snapping up 3/34 in nine overs to undermine Sentraal’s reply.

Jayden Strydom, with 2/21 from six overs, and Rodney Turner‘s tight 2/18 from 9.3 overs, also made the chase challenging for the Bloemfontein locals.

Erik Prinsloo top-scored for Sentraal, striking three fours and two sixes in his 32 off 40 balls, while Danny Botes weighed in with three fours and a six in 29 off 40.

Voortrekker, though, was untroubled and bowled out Tralies in 39.3 overs for 176, leaving the home team with a handsome 102-run victory.

Summarised Scorecard

Hoërskool Jim Fouché 123/10 (Cobus Wilken 38, Eckard Meyer 28; Dillon Geringer 4/21, Neven Oliver 2/31); Hoërskool Fichardtpark 127/7 (Davyd Oosthuizen 43, Jayden Geldenhuis 24; Jareth Scott 3/21, André Kleyn 2/16). Fichardtpark won by three wickets.

Hoërskool Bethlehem Voortrekker 278/10 (Paul Naudé 94, Vlag Janse van Rensburg 53, Extras 34, Thys Parsons 33, Thato Nthebere 28; Ruardt Kleynhans 4/41, Danny Botes 2/28, Caylem Friend 2/47); Hoërskool Sentraal 176/10 (Extras 33, Erik Prinsloo 32, Danny Botes 29*, Daniel Pienaar 20, Damian Smith 20; Vlag Janse van Rensburg 3/34, Rodney Turner 2/18, Jayden Strydom 2/21). Bethlehem Voortrekker won by 102 runs.

Bishops Diocesan College vs Hoërskool Durbanville

In a 40-over battle on Saturday afternoon, Waco Bassick, batting at eight, delivered the key innings for Bishops Diocesan College, smashing an undefeated 92 runs off just 53 balls on the Frank Reid Oval.

Bishops had initially struggled to get going against Hoërskool Durbanville.

In the early going, they found themselves on 49/3, although opener Alex Vintcent survived the early hardships. He went on to hammer seven fours and six sixes in a telling knock of 80 off 71 deliveries.

Further useful contributions came from Harry Morgan, at five, and Luc Dicey, at seven, who weighed in with 39 and 44 respectively to keep the Bishops’ train chugging along in the middle overs.

In the end, the home side posted a hefty 329/9 in their 40 overs.

Farrel-Leigh Dido, although a touch on the expensive side, excelled for Durbies, capturing 5/62 in eight overs.

They faced a difficult run chase, needing to bat at 8.25 runs per over to win, and Harry Morgan ensured that didn’t happen by snapping up 4/36 in eight overs. Thaafier Japhta chipped in with 2/38 from eight.

Durbanville opener Dante Mouton played patiently for 27 off 46 deliveries. However, just as he started to look comfortable, he was caught off the bowling of Matthew Edwards.

Batting at nine, Jan-Oscar van Tonder top-scored for the visitors with an unbeaten 46 off 42, but the visitors came up well short of the required run rate, finishing their 40 overs on 174/9, which left Bishops with a mighty 155-run win.

Hoërskool Strand vs Hoërskool Parel Vallei

Keaton Gertze was the only Hoërskool Strand bowler to send down his full quota of overs when Strand hosted Parel Vallei High in a limited-overs clash on Saturday.

He did a fine job, delivering an economic spell during which he conceded only 22 runs and picked up three wickets. His teammates Benjamin de Reuk and Joshua Human chipped in with two wickets each, with De Reuk returning 2/48 in nine, and Human nabbing 2/13 in three.

Opener Benjamin Traut and number three batsman, Daniel Adonis, led the Somerset West school’s batting effort. Traut hit an explosive five fours in his 21-run tally, while Adonis cracked four fours and a six in the innings’ top score of 31 off 32.

After 31 overs, however, PV was bowled out on only 116.

Adonis followed up his top score for the visitors with their best figures when Strand batted, claiming 3/28 in 9.2 overs.

Daniel Dreyer bowled one and had another batsman caught behind in his return of 2/21 from five overs.

The Parel Vallei bowlers found opening batsman Gustav du Plessis in a defiant mood. He kept them at bay, facing 102 deliveries for his 27 runs. Arriving after the fall of the second wicket, Matthew Barnard edged past him with four fours and a six in his contribution of 28 off 43 balls.

In a tight contest, Strand eventually reached 120/7 after 40.2 overs to earn themselves a three-wicket margin of victory.

Summarised Scorecard

Bishops Diocesan College 329/9 (Waco Bassick 92*, Alex Vintcent 80, Luc Dicey 45, Harry Morgan 39, Extras 21; Farrel-Leigh Dido 5/62); Hoërskool Durbanville 174/9 (Jan-Oscar van Tonder 46*, Dante Mouton 27, Extras 27; Harry Morgan 4/36, Thaafier Japhta 2/38). Bishops won by 155 runs.

Hoërskool Parel Vallei 116/10 (Daniel Adonis 31, Benjamin Traut 24; Keaton Gertze 3/22, Joshua Human 2/13, Benjamin de Reuk 2/48); Hoërskool Strand 120/7 (Matthew Barnard 28, Gustav du Plessis 27; Daniel Adonis 3/28, Daniel Dreyer 2/21). Strand won by three wickets.

Rondebosch Boys’ High vs Wynberg Boys’ High

The visiting Wynberg Boys’ High sent Rondebosch Boys’ High out to bat after the coin toss went their way on Saturday morning in Cape Town.

There were 130 overs allocated for the day’s play in the declaration contest, with the side batting first being allowed to take up as many of those overs as they liked.

Openers Eli Aufrichtig and Luca Ghignone limited risks in their opening stand, consuming 182 balls for their 74-run partnership. They were as cool as ice, with Aufrichtig contributing 39 off 96 deliveries, while Ghignone added 35 off 86.

In at three, Tyler Heyns picked up the tempo, recording a six and five fours in his 63 off 88 as the home side’s batsmen delivered consistency. Raa’id Davids, batting at eight, was not out at the end, having struck two fours and three sixes in his 37 off 38.

Nicholas Stafford bowled a lengthy 21 overs to snare 3/81, while Fawaaz Hendricks recorded an even lengthier 25 overs and finished with 2/61.

After 73 overs, Rondebosch declared on 251/6, which left them with 57 overs to try to bowl out Wynberg.

Like Wynberg, the home side, primarily, put the ball in the hands of two bowlers. Raa’id Davids, a perennial wicket-taker, was up for the challenge, claiming 3/22 in 13 overs. Ethan De Heer Kloots was even busier, sending down 17 overs and claiming 2/39.

Batting at six, Joshua Prince top-scored for his team, cracking five fours in his 34, while Chad Campbell, the number eight batsman, finished unbeaten on 32 off 55, which included three fours and a six.

Damien Harris entered the fray after the fall of the seventh wicket and opted for survival mode, facing 29 balls for his nought not out.

When the match ended, Wynberg had reached 152/7, resulting in a draw between the southern suburbs’ rivals.

Oakdale Landbou vs Hoërskool Outeniqua

In Riversdal, Oakdale Landbou was home against Hoërskool Outeniqua in a limited-overs match.

The Farmers made a slow start. Opener André Gouws grafted hard for 21 from 61 deliveries, but the other three members of the top four were dismissed for a combined three runs. The middle order added some ballast to the home side’s total, with Stian Pfaff, at seven, thumping four fours in his 46 off 64.

Liam Haasbroek troubled the Oakdale batsmen, capturing 4/28 in eight overs, while Wernich Cassell brought an end to the hosts’ innings by nabbing 3/28 from 8.5 overs.

However, 22 wides and 30 extras in total helped to boost the Farmers to 160 all out after 47.5 overs.

The George outfit’s reply was fuelled by batsmen three to five, with Idan Balzun making 27 off 39, Hanno Swart a patient 38 off 72, and Daniel du Preez 25 off 39.

However, despite their conservative approach, the other visiting batsmen weren’t able to stay around for more than 10 runs each.

Barry Durr led the Oakdale attack with distinction, knocking over 4/19 in eight overs, while Harri Venter stopped the Kwaggas‘ run chase in its tracks, snapping up 3/14 in 7.5 overs.

Outeniqua’s challenge ended with the visitors all out for 131, leaving Oakdale with a satisfying 29-run victory.

Summarised Scorecard

Rondebosch Boys’ High 251/6 (Tyler Heyns 63, Eli Aufrichtig 39, Raa’id Davids 37, Luca Ghignone 35, Schalk Fourie 28, Matthew Brooks 22*; Nicholas Stafford 3/81, Fawaaz Hendricks 2/61); Wynberg Boys’ High 152/7 (Joshua Prince 34, Chad Campbell 32*, Nathan du Plooy 26, Michail Tarentaal 22, Hugo Norambuena 22; Raa’id Davids 3/22, Ethan De Heer Kloots 2/39). Match Drawn.

Oakdale Landbou 160/10 (Stian Pfaff 46, Extras 30, Rico Ferreria 25, André Gouws 21; Liam Haasbroek 4/28, Wernich Cassell 3/28); Hoërskool Outeniqua 131/10 (Hanno Swart 38, Idan Balzun 27, Daniel du Preez 25; Barry Durr 4/19, Harri Venter 3/14). Oakdale won by 29 runs.

First Innings

After two days of action and two outstanding centuries, Grey College and Grey High were forced to settle for a draw on the Johan Volsteedt Oval, in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Their match, which included two innings for both sides and a maximum of 70 overs per innings, began on Friday morning with Grey College batting first after the coin flip fell in their favour.

The hosts advanced at a decent clip to tally 307/7 after 70 overs. Opener Christian Kind was the cornerstone of their innings, stroking 12 fours in his 159-ball stay, which ended when he was bowled by Nathan Trytsman, but only after he successful reached his 100-run milestone.

Trytsman was the pick of the Grey High bowlers, collecting 3/29 in nine overs, while Matthew Marshbank removed two top-order batsmen in his 2/63 from 11 overs.

River Scott and Juan Maree provided the home side with their most substantial stand, partnering for 110 runs for the fifth wicket. While Scott contributed 30, Maree took charge, hammering 10 fours and seven sixes in an exciting knock of 123 off 129 deliveries.

With opener Cullen Marais in good knick, Grey High made a sound start to their reply. He cracked eight fours in a 75-ball stay that brought him 37 runs before he was trapped LBW by River Scott. He was treated with respect by the Gqerberha batsmen, recording five maidens in his 2/47 from 11 overs.

Daniel Hattingh, meanwhile, sent down eight overs and got rid of two top-order batsmen while giving up 37 runs.

Grey High’s fourth and fifth batsmen, Logan Goddard-Ford and Nathan Trytsman, delivered solid innings, with Goddard-Ford striking six fours in his 39 and Trytsman hitting nine in his 52.

However, it was Anfred Jansen, batting at seven, who stole the spotlight. Much like Grey College’s Juan Maree, he also smashed 17 boundaries in an unbeaten century, although he hit even more sixes, with 10 in total and seven fours. In just 68 balls, he raced to 106 runs.

After 70 overs, Grey High had posted 303/7, leaving them only four runs behind Grey College, but there was not much time left in the game.

Second Innings

The hosts’ second innings lasted only 26.4 overs before the contest came to an end. Once again, though, opener Christian Kind produced a good innings. He dispatched five balls to the boundary and another four over it in his 70 off 66 balls.

He and his opening partner, Peter le Roux, combined for a 112-run opening stand, with Le Roux ending the match unbeaten on 49 off 90 deliveries.

Logan Groch was the only bowler to claim a wicket, finishing with 1/23 from 4.4 overs.

In the end, the contest petered out into a tame draw, which was highlighted by some fine batting from both sides.

Summarised Scorecard

First Innings

Grey College 310/7 dec. (Juan Maree 123*, Christian Kind 100, River Scott 30; Nathan Trytsman 3/29, Matthew Marshbank 2/63); Grey High 302/7 dec. (Anfred Jansen 106*, Nathan Trytsman 52, Logan Goddard-Ford 39, Cullen Marais 37, Extras 26; Daniel Hattingh 2/37, River Scott 2/47).

Second Innings

Grey College 123/1 dec. (Christian Kind 70, Peter le Roux 49*). Match Drawn.