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Vir Paarl Meisies se eerste-netbalspan was 2025 ’n jaar wat oor veel meer gegaan het as bloot wedstryde en uitslae.

Dit was ’n seisoen van gesamentlike groei, die bereik van doelwitte, die omhelsing van uitdagings en die trots om as ‘n hegte familie die baan te deel. Onder leiding van afrigter, Marli Visagie, het die span nie alleen hul stempel op die netbalbaan afgedruk nie, maar ook as mense en spanmaats gegroei.

Een van die hoogtepunte van die jaar was hul deelname aan die gesogte Wildeklawer-toernooi – ’n platform waarop die topskole in Suid-Afrika mekaar die stryd aansê.

“Om daar uit te draf en jouself in die geselskap van die land se topspanne te bevind, is ’n groot voorreg,” vertel Visagie.

“Dat ons voorts tot die eindstryd kon deurdring en met slegs een doel teen Paarl Gim verloor het, wys die mate van karakter en gees waaroor hierdie groep dogters beskik.”

Nog ’n oomblik wat uitstaan, was hul deelname aan die groot Paarl Interskole – ’n tradisie wat diep in die gemeenskap gewortel is. Alhoewel die oorwinning by hierdie geleentheid aan die ander kant van die dorp opgeëindig het, is die ervaring op sigself iets wat volgens die afrigter nie in woorde vasgevang kan word nie.

“Om deel te wees van daardie besonderse atmosfeer en trots, is iets wat die spelers vir altyd sal bybly.”

Die span se sukses het egter nie net in groot wedstryde gelê nie. Visagie verduidelik dat hulle die seisoen opgebreek het in kleiner mikpunte wat deurgaans gestel en bereik is.

“Elke keer wanneer ons ’n doelwit afgemerk het – of dit nou groot óf klein was – was ’n hoogtepunt. Ons het geleer dat dit nie slegs oor trofeë of punte gaan nie, maar oor die reis om daar te kom. Elke toer, elke oefensessie en elke wedstryd het die jaar spesiaal gemaak.”

Volgens Visagie lê die span se grootste groei in hul veerkragtigheid.

“Ek hou daarvan om van mental toughness te praat. Hierdie dogters het geleer om kop te hou onder die moeilikste omstandighede. Hulle het kalm gebly in naelbyt-oomblikke en hul beste gelewer, ongeag hoe groot die druk was. Dit het die meisies regtig onderskei.”

Wat haar ongelooflik trots maak, is die menslike groei binne die groep. Met ’n netjiese balans tussen ervare seniors en jonger spelers het daar natuurlike mentorskap en samewerking ontwikkel.

“Ons het vroeg ’n hegte eenheid gevorm. Om elke speler se ontwikkeling te sien – nie bloot as netbalspeler nie, maar as mens – was merkwaardig. Hulle het mekaar se ondersteuningsraamwerk gevorm, en ek glo dit is juis daardie ‘familieband’ wat ons deur taai tye gedra het.”

Al was daar nederlae en teleurstellings, het dit die span eenvoudig sterker gemaak. Hulle het vasgebyt, harder gewerk en telkens sterker teruggekeer. Dit is hierdie eienskap wat Paarl Meisies se 2025-span gedenkwaardig maak: ’n groep dogters wat die waarde van samewerking, vasberadenheid en karakter verstaan.

Soos die afrigter dit saamvat: “Elke speler het ’n beter weergawe van haarself geword. Uiteindelik is dit die grootste oorwinning van die jaar.”

Paarl Meisies Netbal 2025: Uitslae

Sportmans Warehouse-toernooi

• Wen teen Oranje (gestop weens reën) 5–1

• Reën teen Outeniqua

• Wen teen Nico Malan 20–10

• Verloor teen Paarl Gim 12–23

• Wen teen Sentraal 13–11

• Wen teen Augsburg 37–5

• Wen teen Pearson (gestop weens reën) 11–9

• Wen teen Collegiate 27–10

• Wen teen Bellville 22–17

• Wen teen Tygerberg 27–13

Menlo-toernooi

• Wen teen Duineveld 29–19

• Verloor teen Helpmekaar 15–18

• Gelykop teen Monnas 15–15

• Wen teen Secunda 30–9

• Wen teen Dr Malan (gestop weens weerlig) 19–7

• Wen teen Outeniqua 29–10

• Reën teen Northclift

• Wen teen Oranje 21–14

• Wen teen Potch Gimnasium 20–11

• Verloor teen Menlopark 18–30

• Wen teen Rand Park 21–10

Liga-wedstryde

• Wen teen Worcester Gimnasium 33–7

• Wen teen Parel Vallei 27–18

• Verloor teen Paarl Gim 22–23

• Wen teen Oranje 26–15

• Hugenote (nie gespeel nie)

• Wen teen Charlie Hofmeyer (met 20 doele)

• Wen teen Bloemhof 34–21 en 34–29

• Wen teen La Rochelle 30–25

Wildeklawer-toernooi

• Wen teen Marais Viljoen 26–16

• Wen teen Framesby 32–19

• Wen teen La Rochelle 26–21

• Wen teen Menlopark 20–18

• Wen teen Diamantveld 37–9

• Verloor teen Oranje 18–20

• Wen halfeind teen Helpmekaar 20–19

• Verloor eindstryd teen Paarl Gim 18–19

• Eindig 2de

Topskole Wes-Kaap

• Wen teen Swellendam 33–19

• Wen teen Manzaomtambu 40–8

• Wen teen Punt 43–15

• Wen kwarteind teen Tygerberg 46–21

• Wen halfeind teen La Rochelle 28–20

• Verloor eindstryd teen Paarl Gim 20–28

• Eindig 2de in Wes-Kaap

Topskole Nasionaal

• Wen teen Oranje 24–20

• Wen teen Veritas 42–2

• Wen teen Tshiawelo 36–6

• Verloor kruiswedstryd teen La Rochelle 12–18

• Wen teen HTS Middelburg

• Verloor teen Shayomoya 19–21

• Wen teen Pietersburg 26–8

Paarl Interskole

• Verloor teen Paarl Gim 16–24

Durban High School vs Northwood School

Durban High School, the recent winners of the Eston One Insurance T20 Night League, bolstered an already impressive record with an imposing nine-wicket victory over Northwood on the Theobald Oval on Saturday in a match reduced to 36 overs a side.

School skipper Bayanda Majola won the toss and chose to field first. That decision produced early dividends as the Knights lost top order batsmen David de Bruyn, Tuswa Phetha, and Ross McGlashan cheaply. By the ninth over, they were in trouble on 36/3.

However, a captain’s knock from Kyle White, who received strong support from Jamie Wimble, pulled the visitors back into the contest. Together, they added 97 from 120 balls for the fourth wicket. Sulaimaan Jadwat finally separated the pair, trapping White in front for 56 from 65 balls, which included seven fours.

Wimble came up just shy of a fifty, dismissed with the total on 169, after scoring 49 off 76 deliveries, and further useful contributions from Thomas Oosthuizen, who clattered 23 from 14 balls, with two fours and two sixes, and Josh Mills, with 21 from 15, took Northwood to 195/6 after 36 overs.

Taine Havermann led the DHS attack, sending three batsmen packing for 35, while Bayanda Majola captured 2/47. Left-arm spinner, Dhilan Naraidu, turned the screws on the visitors, conceding only 14 runs from his seven overs.

Throughout the season, one of DHS’s primary strengths has been the consistency of the top three in their batting order, and those three were all they needed on Saturday as they cruised to victory.

Ismaeel Omar and Ethan Cooper shared an opening stand of 36 before Omar was caught by Ross McGlashan off Keegan Reeves for 21. That brought Josh van Biljon out to the middle to join Ethan Cooper. Together, they took the game away from Northwood.

In 155 balls, they added an unbroken 163 runs, with Van Biljon taking on the leading role. He’s blessed with a tidy, uncomplicated technique – no doubt, the product of many hours of hard work – which makes it appear that he has more time that most to play his shots. He seldom gets himself into a pickle.

With Cooper doing an outstanding job of playing the support role, the pair demonstrated an admirable ability to transition their game from the T20 matches they had recently played to a longer form of the game.

After 34.2 overs, it was all over, with Van Biljon undefeated on 104 from only 88 balls, 14 of which he hit for four. Cooper was 68 not out off of 86, with six fours and a six.

Westville Boys’ High vs Glenwood High

On Bowden’s Field, Glenwood High gritted out a hard-fought 36-run win over Westville Boys’ High.

Batting first, Glenwood laboured to 127 all out off of 41.4 overs. Their total owed much to a stout performance from opening batsman, Karabo Ntsieng, who made a determined 60 from 110 balls. In a low-scoring match, it was a decisive and crucial innings.

Only three other batsmen made it into double figures, but none exited the teens, with Akhil Maharaj‘s 17 the next highest score.

Left-arm spinner Ewan du Toit had Glenwood’s number, snaring 4/16 from nine overs, while left-arm seamer Lwandile Bulose kept it tight as usual and was rewarded with 2/9 from four overs. Kyle McGough also shone, snapping up 2/11 in four.

Westville lost two wickets early in their reply and they were unable to recover from there. Bandile Mbatha did the damage, sending five batsmen packing at a cost of only 14 runs, as the visitors scored a 36-run victory.

Scores

Northwood School 195/6 (Kyle White 56, Jamie Wimble 49, Thomas Oosthuizen 23, Josh Mills 21; Taine Havermann 3/35, Bayanda Majola 2/47). Durban High School 199/1 (Josh van Biljon 104*, Ethan Cooper 68*, Ismaeel Omar 21).

Durban High School won by nine wickets.

Glenwood High 127/10 (Karabo Ntsieng 60; Ewan du Toit 4/16, Lwandile Bulose 2/9, Kyle McGough 2/9); Westville Boys’ High 91/10 (Bandile Mbatha 5/14).

Glenwood won by 36 runs.

On Saturday, Paarl Gimnasium‘s bowlers delivered with both bat and ball on the Frank Reid Oval to lift the visitors to a 59-run victory over the hosts and favourites, Bishops Diocesan College.

Batting first, Gimmies were in early trouble, slipping to 48/5. Their tail enders, though, were more like a strong spine, with De Waal Vivier being the thickest vertebra.

Batting at nine, he stood tall, scoring a heroic and unbeaten 83 runs off 79 balls. His knock included five of Paarl Gim’s eight sixes, plus three fours.

Louis Koen batting at 10 – he also plays at 10 for the 1st XV – provided invaluable support with a hasty 45 off 29, as the pair put on 82 for the ninth wicket. Koen was also responsible for the other three sixes in the visitors’ innings.

Beon Swanepoel then teamed up with Vivier to put on an unbroken 69 for the tenth wicket, contributing 19 off 13, to see Paarl Gim to 275/9 after their 50 overs. It was a sobering total for Bishops to chase after they had the visitors struggling on 124/8.

Much like Paarl Gim, Bishops made a less than convincing start to their innings, stumbling to 67/5.

Their innings was steadied, though, by Samuel Stavely-Alexander and Michael Kruiskamp whose 129-run sixth-wicket partnership kept them in the game.

Stavely-Alexander, playing his 100th game for the Bishops’ 1st XI, delivered a noble batting performance, scoring 73 off 65, which included three fours and seven sixes. Kruiskamp matched Stavely-Alexander with seven sixes and added four fours in his 70 off 68.

It was, however, the Gimmies batting hero, Vivier, who broke the dangerous partnership, dismissing Kruiskamp with a caught and bowled to swing the momentum back in the Paarl team’s favour.

From there, the Bishops’ challenge fell away as their tail enders were unable to match Gim’s lower order excellence. They were all out for 216 in 39.4 overs.

Waldus de Jager, with 3/10 in 6.4 overs, sealed the deal, while Swanepoel, Koen and Vivier all contributed two wickets a piece.

Those four were the heroes of the day for the visitors, but none more so than Vivier. He changed the momentum of the contest in both innings. Those who chase lost causes often find victory where others lack the mettle to go.

SCORES

Paarl Gimnasium 275/9 (De Waal Vivier 83*, Louis Koen 45, Wian Munnik 26, Waldus de Jager 20, Extras 40; Luke de Klerk 3/51, Daniel Perold 2/69); Bishops Diocesan College 216/10 (Samuel Stavely-Alexander 73, Michael Kruiskamp 70, James Robb-Quinlan 27; Waldus de Jager 3/10, Louis Koen 2/28, Beon Swanepoel 2/46, De Waal Vivier 2/48).

Paarl Gimnasium won by 59 runs.

Pacing is an extremely important aspect of a two-day, two-innings match. Without a limited overs cap per innings, the batting side needs to find a balance between the balls remaining and runs on the scoreboard. Grey College have struggled to find that ratio in their last two games in the format.

They drew with Selborne College a fortnight ago and then drew with Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) on Saturday. On both occasions, the Bloemfontein side looked like the better team on their home ground, but they ran out of time to claim victory.

Batting first, on Friday, against the Stellenbosch visitors, Grey went big, declaring their innings on 367/9.

Opening batsman Aiden Dodd, was to the fore, scoring a Nelson, 111 runs, for the hosts. He also scored 78 in the first innings against Selborne.

Against the East London school, Henru de Wet struck an aggressive 103. This time, he chipped in with 57.

Jason Raal, Nathan van den Berg and Dion Slabber picked up two wickets each for PRG.

The visitors found the going tougher at the crease than Grey did and were bowled out for only 169. Nathan van den Berg showed off his all-round game, top scoring with 67, while Slabber was the second highest scorer for Ou Polla’s Boys, with 32.

Daniel Hayidakas led the Grey attack with the second-best bowling figures of the match, claiming 2/18. Bergh Vorster, Sicelo Matayi and the consistent Otto Krause, all removed two batsman each.

With a 198-run lead, but limited time remaining, Grey forced Paul Roos to follow on. When the match ended, the visitors were on 230/8 in their second innings, only 32 runs ahead.

Marcus Conradie settled in nicely to score 70, while Jason Raal contributed 40. However, it was Slabber’s unbeaten 31 off 86 that was arguably the most valuable performance of his side’s second innings. He farmed the bowling, keeping the tail enders safe, to steer Paul Roos to safety.

Jano Venter returned 2/17 for Grey, while Otto Krause claimed 2/31.

SCORES

Grey College 367/9 dec. (Aiden Dodd 111, Henru de Wet 57, Juan Maree 50, River Scott 34, Pieter Smit 33, Otto Krause 25*, Extras 21; Jason Raal 2/46, Nathan van den Berg 2/60, Dion Slabber 2/69); Paul Roos Gimnasium 169/10 (Nathan van den Berg 67, Dion Slabber 32, Etienne Serfontein 27; Daniel Hayidakas 2/18, Bergh Vorster 2/22, Sicelo Matayi 2/25, Otto Krause 2/33); Paul Roos Gimnasium 230/8 (Marcus Conradie 70, Jason Raal 40, Dion Slabber 31*, Xander van Niekerk 29, Enré van Zyl 26, Extras 20; Jano Venter 2/17, Otto Krause 2/31).

Match drawn.

Parel Vallei High School played superbly in front of their home audience on Saturday, overwhelming Hoërskool Durbanville by 185 runs in their 50-over encounter.

The hosts got off to a strong start, with opening batsmen Benjamin Traut and Sevi Barlow, scoring 61 and 37 runs respectively and putting on 61 for the first wicket. After their dismissal, though, they experienced a few hiccups, losing three wickets for 46 runs.

However, when Matthew Vermeulen and Ruben du Plessis came in at six and seven respectively, with the score on 150/5, they compiled a phenomenal 139-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Du Plessis weighed in with 65 runs off 64 balls, while Vermeulen tallied 67 off 75. Perhaps feeling frustrated, the visiting bowlers lost their discipline and conceded 38 wides and 12 no balls as PV’s score was boosted by 53 extras in total.

After their 50 overs, the hosts ended on a healthy 320/9.

Durbanville was able to muster only 135 all out in response, with  their only batsman to get going. By the time he came in, after the fall of the seventh wicket, Durbies were on the ropes on 47/7.

Despite the immense pressure, Lewis played well, striking six fours before being cruelly dismissed on 49. He was the last man out.

Jamiel Ismael was the pick of the bowlers for PV, knocking over 5/31 in 9.1 overs. Bowling with a philosophy of: “You miss, I hit”, Ismael beat the bat thrice while being on target, to earn a LBW decision, while he twice sent the bails flying.

SCORES

Parel Vallei High School 320/9 (Matthew Vermeulen 67, Ruben du Plessis 65, Benjamin Traut 61, Sevi Barlow 37, Extras 53; Erich Vermeulen 3/73, Jan van Tonder 2/38, Liam Kirsten 2/58); Hoërskool Durbanville 135/10 (Lucien Lewis 49; Jamiel Ismaeel 5/31).

Parel Vallei won by 185 runs.

A large part of the Noordaal may have experienced showers over the course of Saturday, but the only rain the Titans Platinum League saw was that of runs.

Read and relive all the Titans Premier League action right here on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Reuben van Zyl of Hoërskool Garsfontein and Timothy Gordon from Pretoria Boys High School were mostly responsible for the downpour of runs.

Van Zyl struck his third century in this year’s league as Garsfontein smashed Die Hoërskool Menlopark out of the “big-four”, thumping the Parkies by 176 runs.

Gordon’s innings, on the other hand, helped Boys High force their way into the “big-four” with a memorable 102-run victory over Cornwall Hill College.

The Ysbere and Van Zyl were once again exceptional. The Garsie opening batsman exhibited sheer class with the biggest of his three centuries thus far. Facing only 119 deliveries and striking at 121, he smashed 18 fours and two sixes for his 144 before Parkie’s offspinner, Murray Hofmeyr, finally managed to get rid of him.

Hofmeyr, upon his return to the side, was his team’s best bowler on the day. Bowling his full quota of 10 overs, he snapped up two wickets and conceded only 55 runs. However, not even that could put a stop to the onslaught that followed from Xander Venter.

The all-rounder, coming in at five, also batted briskly. Venter scored at a run a ball and accelerated towards the end to achieve an unbeaten 92 runs. Together with Van Zyl, he took the Ysbere to a total of 361/5 in the allotted 50 overs.

The Parkies weren’t quite up to the challenge. Only Dian van Zyl managed to pass the 50 mark, having had to rebuild following two quick wickets upfront from Venter (2/27). Van Zyl worked hard at the crease and had Morné Koekemoer (33) and Jacques de Villiers (32) in support.

It wasn’t enough to counter Wikus du Preez, though. Du Preez finished the innings with figures of 3/15 in five overs, putting an end to the Parkies’ efforts of chasing the big total.

Gordon’s innings on home turf, at the Hofmeyr Oval, was similar to that of Van Zyl, and he even passed the 150-mark. He seemed in a hurry, smashing 13 fours and 12 sixes in his mammoth innings of 159 runs. Ethan Nel (56) was next best, with every other batter chipping in for the total of 364/8 by the end of 50 overs.

Boys High could not bowl the resilient Cornwall out, but managed to restrict them to 262/7. Joshua Hall (2/39) and Euan Gottfried (2/45) did the bulk of the damage, while Cornwall captain Ab Rasool was his side’s best performer. Not only did Rasool take four wickets (4/53), but he also scored an important 78 runs. Zander Davel scored 49, but in the end, it was not enough.

Hoërskool Eldoraigne persevered for a nail-biting two-wicket victory over Prestige College, at home in Centurion. Left-arm spinner, Benyael Morkel, led the way, collecting three wickets and costing only 29 runs in 10 overs. Mohau Mahalngu (53) and Omphile Maredi (47) did the hard yards to get Prestige to a modest total of 197/8, something to bowl at.

However, 54 from Ryno Mulder, alongside 40s from Jean du Randt (42) and Marinus Langerman (40), proved enough to get the side from Centurion over the line, albeit only just.

Summarised scorecards 

Garsfontein 361/5 (Reuben van Zyl 144, Xander Venter 92, Arrie Verster 29, Charl van Staden 26, Extras 25; Murray Hofmeyr 2/55, James Bronkhorst 2/67); Menlopark 185 (Dian van Zyl 51, Morné Koekemoer 33, Jacques de Villiers 32; Wikus du Preez 3/15, Xander Venter 2/27). Garsfontein won by 176 runs. 

Pretoria Boys High School 364/8 (Timothy Gordon 159, Ethan Nel 56, Pieter Steyn 30, Louis Kruyshaar 25, Extras 22, Tinashe Mbingo 21; Ab Rasool 4/53); Cornwall Hill College 262/7 (Ab Rasool 78, Zander Davel 49, Keagan van Wyk 39, Rourke de Lange 27, Layton Pullen 25, Extras 23; Joshua Hall 2/39, Euan Gottfried 2/45). Pretoria Boys High School won by 102 runs. 

Prestige College 197/8 (Mohau Mahlangu 53, Omphile Maredi 47, Extras 31, Thabang Kutumela 21, Gift Mahlasedi 21; Benyael Morkel 3/29, Angus Myers 2/26, Cornell Cousins 2/48); Eldoraigne 198/8 (Ryno Mulder 54, Jean du Randt 42, Marinus Langerman 40, Rowan McClaren 21*; Lesedi Mabena 3/17, Omphile Maredi 3/43, Keamogetswe Semenya 2/43). Eldoraigne won by two wickets. 

Ruben Groenewald van Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool se oes van vyf paaltjies Saterdag in Pretoria is sy derde groot oomblik van die jaar.

Lees en herleef al die Titans Platinum Liga-aksie net hier op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Groenewald se vorige twee uithaaloomblikke vanjaar het albei op die rugbyveld plaasgevind, naamlik ‘n doelskop teen Paarl Gimnasium om ‘n gelykopuitslag af te dwing en toe ‘n strafdoel teen Jeppe High School for Boys vir ‘n naelskraapse sege in die doodsnikke.

Die veelsydige Groenewald het die afgelope Saterdag soos dit ‘n kaptein betaam, in die grootste stryd tot dusver vanjaar in die Titans-liga, van voor gelei. Hy het uiteindelik ‘n merkwaardige boulskof van 8.1 beurte afgesluit met syfers van 5/27 wat vir Affies ‘n sege van 51 lopies oor Hoërskool Waterkloof verseker het. Dit neem sy se bydrae met die bal, oor die laaste twee wedstryde, na ‘n allemintige nege paaltjies.

Dié nederlaag was slegs Klofies, die krieketreus van Pretoria, se tweede in soveel jaar in die Titans-liga, nadat Affies in 2023, ook op hul tuisveld, met vyf paaltjies koning gekraai het. Dit beteken natuurlik dat Affies nou die enigste onoorwonne span onder die groot Titans is.

Die jongeling, Christian Linde, wat slegs in Graad 9 is vanjaar, was die voorbok op die Affies se kolflys. Die groentjie het met 79 lopies gespog, waarvan hy 46 met grenshoue aangeteken het.

Vier van die ander Affie-kolwers het elk meer as 40 lopies bygedra. Paaltjiewagter, Daniel Murray, self nog jonk, het voet in die hoek gesit vir 56 lopies van 51 aflewerings. Die gesamentlike poging van die tuisspan het vir ‘n totaal van 297/7 in sy toegelate 50 beurte gesorg.

Klofies se Darius Maritz het sy staal tydens die laaste gedeelte van die beurt tentoongestel en met syfers van 3/57 in agt beurte afgesluit. Sy span se kolfbeurt het egter nie na wense begin nie. Zian Labuschagne (1/41) en Vihan Pretorius (1/45) het vroeg toegeslaan om die Klofies onder druk te plaas.

Dit was Franco Schmidt (48) en Rico van der Walt (41) wat die orde herstel het. Die twee het netjies saam gekolf vir ‘n belangrike venootskap van 72 lopies. Toe Johan Feuth boonop 85 lopies van net 57 balle gemoker het, in ‘n beurt wat sewe viere en ses sesse ingesluit het, was Klofies nog op koers na ‘n stewige totaal.

Die draaipunt het egter gekom toe Feuth deur Labuschagne uitgehardloop is. Dit was toe Groenewald die druk dramaties verplaas het. Sy knaende boulwerk het ‘n ineenstorting tot gevolg gehad, met vier paaltjies wat vir slegs 23 lopies gekantel het.

Hierdie uitslag maak die wedloop vir die trofee weer wawyd oop. Affies het nog drie wedstryde oor, waarvan een teen Hoërskool Garsfontein. Die Ysbere het na hul sege oor Die Hoërskool Menlopark vroeër die dag, na eerste op die puntelys opgeskuif.

Die onlangse twee uitslae maak die ontmoeting tussen Affies en Garsfontein van kardinale belang. Die Klofies sal ook hul twee oorblywende wedstryde met bonuspunte moet wen indien hulle ‘n kans wil staan om hul titel van die afgelope vier jaar suksesvol te verdedig.

Beknopte telkaart

Affies 297/7 (Christian Linde 79, Daniel Murray 57, Adriaan Nel 42, Vihan Pretorius 41, JP Botha 37; Darius Maritz 3/57); Waterkloof 246 (Johan Feuth 85, Franco Schmidt 48, Rico van der Walt 41, Ekstras 23; Ruben Groenewald 5/27). Affies wen met 51 lopies. 

Wise Owl High School charged to an 83-run win over Churchill Boys’ High to punch their tickets to the Eliminator round of the St John’s College (Harare) Rams T20 Tournament, in Harare, on Saturday afternoon.

They joined the hosts, as well as Falcon College (Bulawayo), and Kearsney College in the four-team playoffs.

The Marondera-based side won the toss, chose to bat first, and ran up the second-highest total of the competition, 218/7, against Churchill.

The highest score of 232/2 was posted by St John’s against Prince Edward, and the third highest and only other 200-plus run total was Hellenic Academy‘s 201/7 against St George’s College.

Wise Owl started slowly. It was only when Tadiwanashe Kurehwatira reached the crease in the fourth over that their run rate picked up. His contribution was 47 off 35 balls. However, the arrival of Thelson Madziwana turbo-charged their innings, with the middle-order batsman launching five sixes and as many fours in a scintillating 35-ball 67.

Madziwana’s knock alone would not have been enough to send Wise Owl’s total beyond 200 runs, but they were helped along by Churchill’s bowling attack, which contributed 38 runs to the overall total of 48 extras. The biggest culprit was Ryan Madzima, who couldn’t get his lines right and conceded 42 runs in an 18-ball over littered with wides and no-balls.

Wise Owl’s bowlers bowled with better discipline to restrict Churchill to 135/6 from their 20 overs. The Marondera team’s bowling attack forced Churchill into their shell for an extended period. It was only when Zvikomborero Masango came out swinging and raced to 30 from just 14 balls that Churchill ensured they didn’t suffer a three-figure defeat.

Wise Owl’s win over Churchill was their second of the day. They defeated their neighbours, Peterhouse, by 33 runs in their first outing on Saturday. In that game, Marshall Mashava led the way, scoring 48 off 35 balls, while Tatenda Chimugoro (24), Thelson Madziwana (21), and Tadiwanashe Kurehwatira (21) contributed 66 runs to the total.

Falcon College, the other side that made it to the playoffs, endured mixed fortunes. They won their first but lost their second match of the day.

In the morning, they thumped Hellenic Academy by seven wickets. Dmitry Fatch, Darren Ncube, Neil Rosenfels, and Liam Nel took a brace of wickets each as they restricted the Harare side to 157 all out in 19.2 overs.

Falcon skipper Alastair Carle, then, produced another brilliant innings at the top of the order, rocketing to 73 off just 46 balls to set the tone for an easy and comfortable run chase.

The opener tried to give his side another strong start when they were chasing a 190-run target set for them by Kearsney College, in their second match. Unfortunately for Falcon, Carle’s stay in the middle was shorter, although he was very effective in sprinting to 27 off 14 balls. The Bulawayo boys need more, though, and they came up 26 runs short of the mark.

The fourth playoff qualifier and defending champion, St John’s, headed into the second day with a clean record of two wins from two matches on Friday. However, they ran into an inspired Wade McQuinn and his Johannesburg Schools Invitational XI, who denied them a third win in a last over nail-biter.

Pilate Ndlovu did for Christian Brothers College – Bulawayo (CBC) what Shivaan Chouhan failed to do for St John’s. Ndlovu was handed the ball in the final over with three runs to defend against Prince Edward.

Junaid Nyawasha, Prince Edward’s number 10 batsman, was on a roll, batting with freedom, as he moved to 32 runs from 22 balls. He ran two off the first delivery of the 20th over, which left Prince Edward needing only a single run from five balls.

Ndlovu, though, struck with the second delivery of the over, trapping Nyawasha LBW to claim an improbable win for his side. He finished the match with one wicket for 26 runs from 3.2 overs.

However, the standout bowlers for CBC were Tawana Ratisai (4/9) and Takudzwa Maposa (3/30).

SCORES

Wise Owl 218/7 (Thelson Madziwana 67, Tadiwanashe Kurehwatira 47; Zvikomborero Masango 3/19, Wessly Maramwidze 3/23). Churchill 135/6 (Parise Dube 34, Takunda Rakabopwa 31, Zvikomborero Masango 30*; Tadiwanashe Kurehwatira 2/15, Tatenda Chimugoro 1/8). Wise Owl won by 83 runs.

Hellenic Academy 157/10 (Connor Duckworth 28, Kian Blignaut 27; Dmitry Fatch 2/18, Neil Rosenfels 2/24). Falcon College 158/3 (Alastair Carle 73, Brandon Ndiweni 39; Kirby Madaramete 1/29, Oliver Van Zyl 1/22). Falcon won by seven wickets.

Wise Owl 154/10 (Marshall Mashava 48, Tatenda Chimugoro 24; Luke Marillier 3/12, Cameron Oostuizen 2/14). Peterhouse 119/10 (Luke Marillier 35, Victor Watama 27; Panashe Mazai 2/18, Shane Kayemba 2/21). Wise Owl won by 33 runs.

Christian Brothers College 131/8 (Kelebokile Moyo 47, Joshua Armstrong 28; Takunda Garwe 3/19, Junaid Nyawasha 2/17). Prince Edward 130/10 (Junaid Nyawasha 34, Simbarashe Rombera 15; Tawana Ratisai 4/9, Takudzwa Maposa 3/30). CBC won by one run.

Wade McQuinn pulled off incredible final over heroics to help the Johannesburg Schools Invitational XI secure a five-wicket win over St John’s College (Harare) in their St John’s Rams T20 Tournament clash on the Fisher Field, at St John’s, on Saturday afternoon.

The victory completed a clean sweep of Group A for the Johannesburg side – a team comprising players from St John’s College (Johannesburg), Jeppe High School for Boys, Queens High School, and King Edward VII (KES) – who moved through to the semi-finals, where they will meet the winner of the Eliminator tie between Kearsney College and Wise Owl.

Clifton College topped the table to book their semi-final berth against the winner of second Eliminator between St John’s and Falcon College.

McQuinn received the Player of the Match accolade for his all-round contributions to the Invitational XI’s victory. The KES learner, the team’s captain, led from the front. He won the toss, chose to bowl first, and rotated his bowlers well as the Joburg side restricted St John’s to 153/7 in 20 overs. It took the Invitational XI every one of their 20 overs to snatch victory.

McQuinn starred with the ball, taking three wickets for 17 runs in four overs. One of those three was the dangerous-looking Luca Spagnuolo, whom he dismissed for a 29-ball 44. That wicket provided a turning point. It slowed the hosts down and reduced a potential 170-plus total to 153.

St John’s was cruising at a rate of 8.6 runs an over before Spagnuolo’s dismissal, and they went at just over six runs an over after that.

Only four other batsmen from St John’s reached double figures. Connor Lovatt scored a brisk 31 off 17 balls, James Manning made 18 from 16, while Riley Ettlin and Tawana Nyandoro managed 14 runs apiece.

The Invitational XI made a poor start to their run chase, losing both of their openers in the space of four deliveries, which left them on 9/2 after 2.2 overs. That brought the day one heroes Troy Gordon and Lincoln Casais (38) to the crease. The pair set the Gauteng side’s innings on course with a 70-run third wicket stand from 50 deliveries.

Gordon played the lead role, tallying an outstanding 61 from 40 balls. When he was dismissed, the Invitational XI needed 33 runs from 23 balls.

The Johannesburg side advanced slowly and found themselves under pressure, requiring 25 runs from the last two overs. McQuinn scored 11 of the 13 runs they mustered in the 19th over. Then, the Invitational XI took singles off the first three balls of the 20th over and found themselves needing nine runs from three balls.

McQuinn held his nerve and slammed back-to-back boundaries before taking a single to seal the game off the last delivery of the match. He finished the contest unbeaten on 25 off 14 deliveries. His partner, Joshua Hall, was on 12 not out.

Scorecard

St John’s 153/7 (Luca Spagnuolo 44, Connor Lovatt 31; Wade McQuinn 3/17, Tapiwa Chikwava 2/22). Johannesburg Schools Invitational XI 154/5 (Troy Gordon 61, Lincoln Casais 38; Connor Lovatt 2/27, Khulekani Nduku 2/28). Johannesburg Schools Invitational XI won by five wickets.

Clifton College kept their challenge at the St John’s Rams T20 in Harare rolling on Saturday with a hard-hitting six-wicket victory over Peterhouse. Kearsney College, meanwhile, ran out the winners over Falcon College by 26 runs.

There was a tight escape for the Johannesburg Invitational XI, made up of players from King Edward VII (KES), Jeppe, and St John’s. They defeated the defending champion, St John’s (Harare) by five wickets, getting home off the last ball of the match after scoring 12 runs off the last over.

Clifton had no such difficulties against Peterhouse, batting second for the third match in succession and once again chasing down their opponent’s score in double-quick time.

The Marondera school tallied 131/8 from their 20 overs, led by 63 off 44 balls, with four fours and two sixes, from Tyler Chapman. Only two other batsmen made it into double figures, however, with Victor Watama contributing 24 off 17, and Cameron Rae making 18 off 20.

Watama and Rae shared the highest partnership of the innings, putting on 49 for the fourth wicket in 6.5 overs.

Left-arm spinner Blake Johnson continued his fine tournament, snaring 3/19 in three overs to lead the Clifton attack.

Cohen Naidoo, who had powered Clifton’s batting effort in their first two wins, missed out on this occasion, but captain Tim Saulez took charge, cracking nine fours and a six in an unbeaten 70, which took only 50 balls.

A useful 22 from 15, which included two sixes, from Cristiano Borrageiro was the little nudge that the Durban school needed to get across the line, which they did after only 14.5 overs to secure a solid five-wicket win.

Callum Scott Elliot picked up 2/26 for Peterhouse, but Saulez’s fine innings took the game away from the Zimbabwean side.

Facing Falcon College, Kearsney opted to bat first. After losing their opening pair cheaply, the Botha’s Hill boys repaired their innings and dictated matters, thanks to the efforts of Keegan de Jager, Cole Young, and Asher Hollister.

De Jager and Young added 42 for the third wicket before Young fell for 36 off 24 balls, caught by Liam Nel off the bowling of Darren Ncube. He had struck three sixes and two fours.

De Jager and Hollister, then, advanced the score to 136, partnering for 49 runs before De Jager departed with the total on 136. His contribution was a valuable 54 from only 39 deliveries, with seven fours and a six.

Hollister, meanwhile, laid into the Falcon bowlers. When he was the sixth man out, bowled by Dmitry Fatch, he had deposited four balls over the boundary, sent four into it, and charged to 52 off only 25 balls.

Kearsney was on 176/6 with nine balls to go. They added another 13 runs for the loss of a wicket to finish on 189/7.

Dmitry Fatch claimed 2/21 in two, while his fellow new ball bowler, Zach Gover, returned the most economical figures of 1/20 in three.

Falcon College captain Alastair Carle, who has been on an absolute tear, got stuck into the Kearsney bowling early, smashing 27 from only 14 balls, but he was caught by Cole Young off James Bishop‘s bowling before he could cause too much damage.

Brandon Ndikweni top scored with 40 from 38, with five fours, and further useful contributions came from Liam Nel, with 25 from 20, and Reed Merick, with 21 from 15. Three other batsmen made it into the teens, but Falcon was unable to match Kearsney’s rollicking run rate and came up 26 runs short, ending their 20 overs on 163/9.

Michael Groom‘s outstanding showing in Harare continued as he bagged three wickets for not many runs for a third match in succession, this time finishing with 3/16 from four overs.

Yusuf Basat, the seventh bowler used, played his part by capturing 3/25 in three.

After day two’s matches, Clifton stood atop the table with a haul of 15 points from their three matches and the best net run rate of 3.564. The Johannesburg Invitational XI was just behind them, on 14 points, while Kearsney occupied third place, on 12 points. All three South African sides remain unbeaten.

That means that Clifton and the Johannesburg Invitational XI are through to the semi-finals on Sunday. Kearsney will, meanwhile, play an eliminator against Wise Owl, while the second eliminator will feature St John’s College against Falcon College.

Scores

Peterhouse 131/8 (Tyler Chapman 63, Victor Watama 24; Blake Johnson 3/19); Clifton College 132/4 (Tim Saulez 70*, Cristiano Borrageiro 22; Callum Scott Elliot 2/26).

Clifton College won by six wickets.

Kearsney College 189/7 (Keegan de Jager 54, Asher Hollister 52, Cole Young 36; Dmitry Fatch 2/21); Falcon College 163/9 (Brandon Ndiweni 40, Alastair Carle 27, Liam Nel 25, Reed Merick 21; Michael Groom 3/16, Yusuf Basat 3/25).

Kearsney College won by 26 runs.