SARAWAK, MALAYSIA – JANUARY 20: Jemma Botha (L) and Simone Lourens (R) of South Africa takes a single during the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup match between South Africa and Samoa at Borneo Cricket Ground on January 20, 2025 in Sarawak, Malaysia. (Photo by Isuru Sameera Peiris/Gallo Images)
DURBAN: Jezé Campher produced an outstanding all-round performance to guide the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Youth XI to an 18-run victory over Zimbabwe Under-19 Women in the fourth match of the Youth T20 Tri-Series at the Chatsworth Oval in Durban on Tuesday.
Campher top-scored with a solid 37 off 25 balls to lead the invitational side to 134/7 in their 20 overs before starring with ball in hand, picking up impressive figures of three for 15 in her two overs to restrict Zimbabwe to 116/8, despite Makanaka Zinyama’s best efforts which comprised of a 29-ball 41*.
The CSA Youth XI won the toss and elected to bat first, making a controlled start through openers Chanel Venter (6) and Campher. The pair raced to a 36-run opening stand inside four overs before Christina Mutasa (1/24) broke the partnership by dismissing Venter.
Campher continued to anchor the innings alongside Jemma Botha (19), with the pair adding 23 runs for the second wicket. However, just as the hosts looked to accelerate, Zimbabwe struck back through Tadiwa Garutsa (2/14) and Vanessa Mayedza (1/26). The quick dismissals of Campher, Botha and Oluhle Siyo (0) saw the Youth XI reduced to 74/4 after 12 overs.
Despite further breakthroughs from the Zimbabwe bowlers in the latter stages, valuable contributions from Maria van der Vyfer (16), Siphokuhle Masilela (15) and Gabriella Sequira (22) ensured the CSA Youth XI reached a defendable total of 134/7.
In reply, Zimbabwe faced a difficult start to their chase, with the South African bowlers restricting openers Nicollette Nyika (17) and Nokutenda Makanhiwa (24) to 27 runs in the powerplay. The introduction of Puseletso Sekhuthe (2/18) proved decisive, as she bowled Makanhiwa and Lorraine Pemhiwa (0) in the space of three deliveries.
Faced with the task of not only mounting a chase, but with the pressure of upping the scoring rate, Nyika teamed up with Zinyama for a steadying partnership worth 31 runs before Campher was introduced into the attack.
The all-rounder picked up three wickets in the 14th over, dismissing Nyika, Mutasa (2) and Garutsa (0) to leave the Zimbabweans reeling on 69/5.
That collapse marked the beginning of the end for the touring side and despite an unbeaten knock from Zinyama, the CSA Youth XI claimed three more wickets through van der Vyfer (1/10), Siyo (1/4) and Nthabiseng Nini (1/13) to restrict Zimbabwe to 116/8 and seal an 18-run triumph.
The next Youth T20 Tri-Series match will take place on Thursday, 15 January between the SA U19 Women and their Zimbabwean counterparts. All the action will be streamed live on CSA’s YouTube page from 13h00.
CSA Youth XI Squad
Jemma Botha (Western Province), Jezé Campher (Garden Route Badgers), Bruzaan Goosen (Eastern Storm), Simone Lourens (Titans), Siphokuhle Masilela (Eastern Storm), Nthabiseng Nini (North West), Diara Ramlakan (Central Gauteng Lions), Puseletso Sekhute (North West), Gabriella Sequeira (Titans), Ashley Sibanda (Central Gauteng Lions), Oluhle Siyo (Western Province), Maria van der Vyfer (Boland), Diedre van Rensburg (North West), Chanel Venter (Titans)
SA U19 Women’s Youth T20 Tri-Series against Zimbabwe U19 Women and CSA Youth XI
1st T20 – SA U19 won by 31 runs
SA U19: 135/4 after 20 overs; M. van Voorst 35, K. Meso 29; B. Maposa 1/32, S. Maseka 1/30
Zimbabwe U19: 104/8 after 20 overs; R. Mpofu 15, L. Pemhiwa 14; M. Lalor 2/13, Z. Mohanlall 2/18
2nd T20 – SA U19 won by 11 runs
SA U19: 78/6 after 10 overs; K. Meso 36, M. van Voorst 23; N. Nini 4/15, J. Campher 1/7
CSA Youth XI: 67/3 after 10 overs; J. Botha 24, C. Venter 18; C. Wanckel 1/17, S. Mukhari 1/3
3rd T20 – SA U19 won by 20 runs
SA U19: 152/5 after 20 overs; M. van Voorst 56, M. Lalor 45; N. Nini 2/31, B. Goosen 1/33
CSA Youth XI: 132/7 after 20 overs; C. Venter 45, D. van Rensburg 24; C. Wanckel 1/22, M. Lalor 1/23
4th T20 – CSA Youth XI won by 18 runs
CSA Youth XI: 134/7 after 20 overs; J. Campher 37, G. Sequira 22, T. Garutsa 2/14, C. Mutasa 1/24
Zimbabwe U19: 116/8 after 20 overs; M. Zinyama 41, N. Makanhiwa 24; J. Camphor 3/15, P. Sekhuthe 2/18
Thursday, 15 January – 5th Youth T20 at 13h00 – SA U19 Women vs Zimbabwe U19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Friday, 16 January – 6th Youth T20 at 13h00 – CSA Youth XI vs Zimbabwe U19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Sunday, 18 January – Youth T20 Tri-Series Final at 13h00 – TBC (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications
KES, one of the most entertaining teams at the Basketball Festival held at Pretoria Boys High, showed they will remain a force to be reckoned with in 2026. Photo: Pretoria Boys High.
The inaugural Pre-Season Basketball Festival at Pretoria Boys HighSchool (PHBS), contested over three days, ending on Saturday, successfully launched PHBS’s 125th anniversary celebrations.
Although it was a pre-season event, all 12 participating teams from Gauteng delivered exciting action. As a preparation exercise for the forthcoming season, the festival was also a runaway success, helping the players to work on their team cohesion, strategies, combinations, competitive spirit, and skills.
The line-up included many of the country’s leading teams, among them PHBS A, ESCA, King Edward VII School (KES), St John’s College, St Alban’s College, and St David’s Marist Inanda.
With the event being a festival, no winner was designated after Saturday’s last games. The event was more a celebration of the game than of results.
Ludwig Gerdes, the Director of Basketball at Pretoria Boys High, told SuperSport Schools Plus the festival had been exceptionally well received and it also filled a gap by giving teams an opportunity to prepare for the season in a competitive environment.
“Given the early timing of the festival, many teams arrived directly from their school holidays and were understandably not at peak fitness or form,” Gerdes said.
After suffering a loss in their opening match against Pretoria Boys High, St Alban’s College redeemed themselves by securing a victory over PBHS on the final day of the festival. Photo: Pretoria Boys High.
However, he explained, by the afternoon of the festival’s first day, the majority of teams had started to establish their rhythm, and by the end of the festival on Saturday, many teams were close to firing on all cylinders.
“Throughout the festival, it became increasingly evident that the upcoming season will be both open and fiercely competitive. The majority of games were closely contested, with teams going toe-to-toe in nearly every matchup,” Gerdes said.
“As a result of the positive feedback and high standard of competition, we are strongly considering making this an annual event, with plans to expand to 16 teams, including some of the most competitive sides from across the country.”
Hosting the festival also provided a meaningful opportunity for Boys High to celebrate the milestone of 125 years of existence, he added.
“In doing so, we believe we have carved out a place in the South African basketball landscape as a destination for high-level, competitive basketball.”
Reflecting on the home side’s performance’s, Gerdes said: “A personal highlight of the festival was the opening game, which saw the home side (PHBS) take on our city rivals, St Alban’s College. We secured a hard-fought 42–35 victory to open the festival, although it should be noted that St Alban’s returned the favour by claiming a win in the final fixture against the hosts,” he concluded.
Only one team, ESCA, emerged from the festival with a clean record. Their toughest challenge came from KES, with ESCA holding on for a one-point victory, winning 32-31 on Friday.
RESULTS
Saturday, 10 January
ESCA 34-24 PHBS A
St Alban’s College 33-27 St David’s
KES 32-21 St Stithians College
St John’s A 28-22 King’s Linbro
Jeppe 84-16 Crawford
St John’s B 22-15 PHBS B
PHBS A 24-22 St David’s
ESCA 45-25 St Alban’s College
KES 35-5 St John’s A
St Stithians College 29-21 King’s Linbro
Jeppe 33-31 St John’s B
PHBS B 51-7 Crawford
St Alban’s College 45-40 PHBS A
ESCA 44-30 St David’s
KES 48-16 King’s Linbro
St Stithians College 25-18 St John’s A
Jeppe 43-28 PHBS B
St John’s B 52-8 Crawford
SA u19 Women at the Chatsworth Oval in Durban (Photo: CSA)
Mieke van Voorst starred with the bat as the South Africa u19 Women claimed a 20-run victory over the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Youth XI in the third match of the Youth T20 Tri-Series at the Chatsworth Oval, in Durban, on Monday afternoon.
Van Voorst struck an unbeaten 56 from 32 deliveries, including six fours and two sixes, to guide the SA u19s to a commanding 152/5 from their 20 overs. She was supported well by all-rounder Miya Lalor, who contributed 45 off 36 balls, including five boundaries.
The CSA Youth XI replied with 132/7, with Chanel Venter‘s 45 off 29 balls not enough to overcome the SA u19 team’s bowling and fielding performance.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the SA u19s lost opener Shreeya Subbiah(1) early to Nthabiseng Nini (2/31), who provided the breakthrough in the third over.
Karabo Meso (15) steadied the innings with Miya Lalor, adding 43 runs for the second wicket, but she was out with the total on 55 after 10 overs, another victim of Nini. Meso’s departure brought out Van Voorst to join Lalor in the middle.
With their tails up in the field, the CSA Youth XI struck twice more in three overs, with a run out and a scalp for Jeze Campher (1/19) removing Lalor and Ashley Barnard (3), which left the SA u19s scrambling on 77/4 in the 14th over.
South Africa regained control through an important partnership between Van Voorst and Jae-Leigh Filander (19), with the pair adding a rapid and crucial 56 runs from just 32 balls. Flander was dismissed in the 19th over by Bruzaan Goosen (1/33), which left SA u19 on 133/5 with seven balls remaining in their inning.
Van Voorst and Ashleigh van Wyk (3*) went on blast 19 more runs, with Van Voorst dispatching back-to-back boundaries to reach her half-century and push the under-19s to 152/5.
In their chase, the CSA Youth XI lost an early wicket when Cayleigh Wanckel (1/22) bowled Simoné Lourens (0) with the fourth ball of the innings.
The visitors responded well through a half-century partnership between Venter and Diedré van Rensburg (24). After Lalor (1/23) brought an end to Venter’s aggressive innings, Van Rensburg combined with Diara Ramlakan (21) in a further 41-run stand to keep the run chase alive.
With the score on 91/2 after 13 overs and the Youth XI still needing 62 runs from 42 deliveries to win, the SA u19s tightened their grip on the contest. Meso began with a run out of Ramlakan before Melissa van der Merwe (1/18) got the better of van Rensburg with the very next delivery. Another run-out followed an over later, as Jeze Campher (0) departed, leaving the CSA Youth XI reeling on 94/5.
Although Siphokuhle Masilela added a valiant 22 late on, Ashley Barnard (1/7) and Subbiah (1/8) picked up two late wickets as the Youth XI’s run pursuit lost steam and the SA u19 Women picked up a 20-run win.
Youth T20 Tri-Series action continues on Tuesday, 13 January, with the CSA Youth XI taking on Zimbabwe u19 Women. The match will be streamed live on Cricket South Africa’s YouTube channel from 13:00.
Ashleigh van Wyk of the SA u19 Women [Photo: CSA]In the midst of the festival of cricket taking place around the country this summer, the South Africa u19 Women are preparing to host their Zimbabwe counterparts, along with a Cricket South Africa Youth XI squad, in a Youth T20 Tri-Series in Durban from 9-18 January.
Included in the SA u19 Women’s team is promising Eastern Storm leg-spinner Ashleigh van Wyk. The 17-year-old is in the middle of her second cycle with the group, having been part of the South African side that reached the ICC Uu9 Women’s T20 World Cup final for the first time last year.
One of the senior players returning to the u19 side in preparation for the 2027 World Cup, Van Wyk, who was born and raised in Alberton near Johannesburg, has enjoyed a fruitful start to her young career. She famously delivered a Player of the Match performance in the World Cup semi-final against Australia, snaring 4/17 in South Africa’s victory.
Reflecting on when the cricket bug first bit, Van Wyk credited her sports-mad family, and also many hours spent on the side of the field watching her brother play the sport that ultimately became her passion.
“I started when I was eight years old,” she recalled. “I always played hockey next to the field where my brother was playing cricket. I just decided that cricket looked more fun, so then I started playing in the yard.
“Whenever I heard the sound of a cricket ball, I was there, wanting to play, and the love for the game started and hasn’t stopped growing since.
“My whole family is into sports, and the TV is always on a sporting channel. My mum and dad are always the drivers to the games and practices for my brother and I, but also coach Adele (van Eck), who coached me at Easterns and got me into the setup from a young age,” Van Wyk explained.
After attending President Steyn Primary School, she moved on to Hoërskool Marais Viljoen. She represented the Alberton Cricket Club and Bedfordview Cricket Club before being brought into the Eastern Storm’s structures. She has since gone on to don her province’s red rose from u13 level through to the senior women’s side.
Her special talent was evident early one, leading to Van Wyk quickly progressing through the ranks to the SA u19 Women’s team in 2024, when she made 10 appearances for the national team, including in six World Cup matches during South Africa’s historic campaign in Malaysia.
“The u19 setup is a space where we can do everything, but in the right time. We laugh, we cry, we think together, and we work exceptionally hard. We have only one main goal, and it’s to make South Africa proud by bringing home that trophy in 2027,” Van Wyk said.
“To play at the u19 level is a privilege, and it’s a space where you gain experience and grow with every game you play. You truly come out of the space a different player and person,” she added.
When asked to describe her style of cricket for those yet to see her in action, Van Wyk said: “I believe I’m fearless. The way I look back on the photos of the semi-final against Australia, I’m scared of myself. I am very competitive on the field and do take my skill very seriously”
Looking ahead to the T20 Tri-Series against Zimbabwe and the CSA Youth XI squad, the Eastern Storm vice-captain highlighted her excitement about reuniting as a group and welcoming fresh faces into the squad.
“It’s going to be the first time that I play with some of the girls, so I do look forward to getting to know them as people and playing beside them. I am also excited to face new challenges daily and to grow from them,” she enthused.
The Youth T20 Tri-Series get underway on Friday, 9 January, at the Chatsworth Oval, in Durban, with the SA u19 Women taking on Zimbabwe u19 Women. The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 13:00 and the action will be streamed live on Cricket South Africa’s YouTube page.
Ryan Young led from the front, scoring a composed half-century, to steer Jeppe to a thrilling victory over Kearsney. Photo: Supplied.
Kreesan Pillai scored an unbeaten half-century to lead Glenwood to a comfortable eight-wicket win over Framesby in their Grey Cricket Festival T20 match at Framesby on Sunday.
The toss went the way of the home team, who elected to bat first and scored 153/7 in their 20 overs.
Glenwood was aggressive and clinical in their run chase, taking only 15 overs to power their way to 159/2 and victory.
Pillai led the chase with a free-flowing and unbeaten 91 from 58 balls, cracking five sixes and seven fours. He and his opening partner, Jayden Pillay, got the Glenwood innings off to an explosive start, combining for 49 runs from only 17 deliveries.
Pillai then joined forces with Neel Patel for a 57-run second-wicket partnership, before wrapping up an impressive win with an unbroken 53-run third wicket stand with Mishael Gunawardana, who weighed in with 34 not out.
Earlier in the day, Nicholas Joubert took only 29 balls to score 45 and lead Framesby to a total north of 150 runs. He also laid a platform for the hosts with a 29-run opening partnership with Corné Matthee, who pitched in with 18.
Joubert then stitched together the innings’ highest partnership, 49 runs for the second wicket, with Miles Feltham, who matched Matthee’s 18. Dandré Henwick (25) and Durandt Rootman (14) made starts but failed to kick on.
Kamo Moloto and Qhamani Sikhutswa led the Glenwood bowling attack with a brace of wickets each. Moloto’s return was 2/16 from three overs, while Sikhutswa bagged 2/27 from four.
Kearsney vs Jeppe
Captain Ryan Young led from the front with a half-century for Jeppe in a tight two-wicket win over KearsneyCollege in a 30-overs-a-side contest played on the ABSA Oval at Nelson Mandela University.
Kearsney put up 165/8 after opting to bat first. Then, the tightly contested clash went down to the wire, with Jeppe tallying 166/8 in reply and winning with only one ball to spare.
Young scored a run-a-ball 61 to power the Johannesburg school to victory. When he made his way to the middle, Jeppe desperately needed their skipper to deliver. They were on 36/3 and on the back foot.
Young and Ethan Elliot, who weighed in with 41, stabilised the innings with a 45-run fourth-wicket stand. Later, Young and Phemelo Sekopane joined hands for Jeppe’s highest partnership, 66 in 64 balls, for the sixth wicket, with Sekopane going on to score a crucial 31 not out.
Dolphins‘ Khaya Majola Week left-arm paceman, Litha Gonya, led the Kearsney attack, capturing 3/30 in 5.5 overs.
Kearsney’s innings progressed in fits and starts, but Michael Groom, with 36 from 34 balls, launched a stubborn and effective lower-order resistance, batting at nine.
Before Groom’s late burst, captain Keegan de Jager scored a steady 35 from 31 balls to hold the Kearsney innings together. Christo Badenhorst, who finished with 26 not out, was the only other of the batsmen from Botha’s Hill to go beyond the teens.
Shreshth Kumar was Jeppe’s most successful bowler, snagging 3/20 in six overs, while Reza Ayob tied down the Kearsney batsmen, surrendering only 12 runs from his six overs while also picking up two wickets.
St Charles Colts XI vs Die Hoërskool Menlopark
Die Hoërskool Menlopark signed off with a win, downing the St Charles Colts XI by five wickets in a T20 contest on the Kolisi Field at Grey High.
After Saints lost an early wicket, Fabian Da Rosa and Tlotlang Kobe made strong and steady progress, adding 118 runs off 91 balls for the second wicket before Da Rosa was caught off the bowling of Verster Richter for 53 from 54 deliveries, which included five fours and two sixes.
Following Da Rosa’s departure, St Charles lost momentum, with another three wickets falling in quick succession, the last of those being that of Kobe, which left them on 129/5 after 18 overs. He became one of four victims of Jordan van Eck, out for 59 from only 43 balls, with seven fours and a six.
In the last two overs, the Pietermaritzburg boys injected some momentum back into their innings by smashing 23 runs, with Cohen Cameron launching two sixes in a quickfire 19 not out from 12 deliveries.
Van Eck was the pick of the Menlo bowlers, claiming 4/30 from his four overs.
Menlopark’s reply got off to the worst possible start when they lost opener, Andre Kruyshaar, to the first ball of their innings. Just like Saints, though, Menlo responded to the early loss of a wicket with a good second wicket stand.
Keagan Hills and Jacques de Villiers took just 41 deliveries to tack on 52 runs. Then, Hills and Monré Koekemoer hit the accelerator, adding 66 in only 37 balls.
De Villiers contributed 32 off 25 balls, Hills slammed five fours and three sixes in his 57 from 42, and Koekemoer crunched three sixes and two fours in his 35 from 23.
He was the third of three batsmen out, but by then Menlopark was within touching distance of victory on 142/4 after 15.5 overs.
Ten balls later, they reached 157/4 to take the win with 15 deliveries to spare.
St Charles Colts XI 152/5 (Tlotlang Kobe 59, Fabian da Rosa 53; Jordan van Eck 4/30, Vester Richter 1/34). Menlopark 157/4 (Keegan Hills 57, Morne Koekemoer 35; Dresden Coetzee 1/10, Christopher Uys 1/10). Menlopark won by six wickets.
Kearsney 165/8 (Michael Groom 36, Keegan de Jager 35; Shreshth Kumar 3/20, Reza Ayob 2/12). Jeppe 166/8 (Ryan Young 61, Ethan Elliot 41, Phemelo Sekopane 31*; Litha Gonya 3/30, Rivaan Moodley 1/24). Jeppe won by two wickets.
A moment of symmetry as two Grey High batsmen cross for a run in a hard-fought win over St Andrew’s School. Photo: Grey High on Instagram (taken by Mikah van Niekerk).
Grey High vs St Andrew’s School
The hosts, Grey High, and St Andrew’s School were both undefeated heading into their third and final fixture of the 2026 Grey Festival.
Playing on the Pollock Oval, the Bloemfontein outfit won the toss and elected to bat first.
That was a misstep, however. Matthew Marshbank threw a spanner into the works when he dismissed three of Saints’ first four batsmen for ducks. His return of 3/11 in four overs left the opposition between a rock and a hard place.
The fifth and sixth men to the crease, Schalk van Rensburg and Grové du Preez, threatened to get a decent partnership going. But it was simply not the visitors’ day, with both succumbing to run outs, for 12 and 22 respectively.
After 19.3 overs, St Andrew’s was all out for 92.
The Bloemfontein boys had fared well with the ball during the festival, and Erhard Barends and Nikhil Sukraj were again on song, claiming 3/9 and 2/19 respectively in their four-over spells, but given the meagre total they had to defend, even those returns were not enough.
Grey High was made to battle, but they eventually claimed a hard-fought three-wicket victory with only four balls to spare. Connor Parry‘s contribution of 29 was the highest score of the match.
Grey College vs Namibia Invitational
Victoria Park High saw an intense “mano a mano” T20 contest between Grey College and the Namibia InvitationalXI.
Contrary to the festival’s trend, Namibia opted to field rather than bat after winning the toss.
Aiden Dodd, in at four, led Grey College’s batting effort, smashing six fours in his 53 runs off 46 deliveries, while Dan Brassell was the best of the Namibian bowlers, capturing 2/17 in three overs.
After 20 overs, the Bloemfontein locals had accumulated a solid total of 153/7.
The Namibians’ reply was headlined by their captain and opener, Adriaan Coetzee, who cracked three fours and fours sixes in an aggressive 54 off 40 deliveries.
Grey College, meanwhile, received two-wicket contributions from three bowlers, with Bergh Vorster‘s 2/24 from 3.5 overs being the tidiest of them.
The contest came to an end seven balls before its scheduled completion when the Namibia Invitational XI lost their last wicket on 144, leaving Grey College the winners by a slim nine-run margin.
Pearson High vs Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom
Just like the Namibia Invitational outfit had done, Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom ignored the trend of batting first after winning the toss and sent Pearson High in to bat.
Volkies made good use of that decision, ripping into the home side’s batting to leave them punch drunk on 47/8 after 11.3 overs. At last, though, Pearson found their footing, with tailenders, Connor Thomas and Jayden Warden, putting on an unbeaten 52-run, ninth wicket partnership.
Both batsmen faced 26 deliveries, with Thomas making 18 and Warden top scoring with three fours and two maximums in his heroic 30.
Despite that rearguard action, Volkies restricted the hosts to 99/8 after their 20 overs. AW van der Merwe shone, snapping up 3/15 in four overs, while Johandré Jacobs and Andries Venter both removed two batsmen in their four overs.
The run chase was nail-biting. Volkskool lent on number four batsman Schalk Pienaar‘s hasty 28 from 18 balls, which included six fours, to get them going, but Sulaymaan Gangat made it an arduous journey for the visitors, snaring 3/5 in four overs.
Despite some setbacks, Volkies survived the storm and reached 100/9 after 19.4 overs to win the contest with just one wicket and two balls to spare.
Selborne College vs Northwood School
Northwood and Selborne College met on the Old Grey Oval, with the Knightsvisiting the crease first.
They posted a solid 145/5 from their 20 overs, with Luc Boyall, batting at four, just missing out on a fifty, losing his wicket two runs shy of the milestone, while opening batsman, Ross McGlashan, racked up 41 before he was run out.
Selborne’s reply started well enough, with openers Josh Wilkie and Thomas Lyon both making scores in the twenties and putting on 40 for the first wicket. Unfortunately for the East London school, no one else made it to 20.
Wilkie hammered three fours in his 24 off 25, while Lyon clobbered a four and six in his 21 from 23 deliveries. But Selborne was limited to just 97 all out in 18.2 overs.
Trevor van Vollenstee impressed for Northwood with his 3/5 in 2.2 overs, while three of his teammates chipped in with two wickets each as the Durban boys won by 48 runs.
Summarised Scorecards
St. Andrew’s School 92/10 (Grové du Preez 22; Matthew Marshbank 3/11); Grey High 93/7 (Connor Parry 29; Erhard Barends 3/9, Nikhil Sukraj 2/19). Grey High won by three wickets.
Grey College 153/7 (Aiden Dodd 53, Daniel Hattingh 27, Extras 23, Bergh Vorster 21*; Dan Brassell 2/17, Waldo Smith 2/27); NamibiaInvitational 144/10 (Adriaan Coetzee 54, Luca Micillo 30, Extras 20; Bergh Vorster 2/24, Christoph Bronn 2/27, Danny Hayidakis 2/28). Grey College won by nine runs.
Pearson High 99/8 (Jayden Warden 30*; AW van der Merwe 3/15, Johandré Jacobs 2/12, Andries Venter 2/18); Hoër VolkskoolPotchefstroom 100/9 (Schalk Pienaar 28; Sulaymaan Gangat 3/5). Volkies won by one wicket.
Northwood School 145/5 (Luc Boyall 48, Ross McGlashan 41, Extras 21); Selborne College 97/10 (Josh Wilkie 24, Thomas Lyon 21; Trevor van Vollenstee 3/5, Thabiso Mtambo 2/9, David de Bruyn 2/10, Max Nicholson 2/19). Northwood won by 48 runs.
Christopher Zimmerman put his range of shots on display as he led Kingswood to victory in their final Makhanda Cricket Festival match. Photo: Kingswood on Facebook.
Graydon Leslie scored an imperious century to set Michaelhouse up for a thrilling six-run win over St Andrew’s College in their Makhanda Cricket Festival T20 match on the Lower Field, at St Andrew’s College, on Sunday.
Leslie won the toss, elected to bat first, and shepherded his side to 152/9. His bowlers then stepped up to the plate and restricted the hosts to 146/7 in reply.
The Michaelhouse captain struck 10 fours and five sixes in his unbeaten 106 from 62 balls and almost singlehandedly held the ‘House innings together.
The St Andrew’s bowlers, led by Oliver Whitaker, saw to it that eight of Michaelhouse’s batsmen scored a combined total of five runs between them, but that did not affect Leslie’s focus.
The team from the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands slipped to 35/6 in the seventh over of their innings, but Leslie enjoyed much-needed support from Thandanani Zuma (21) and Matthew Southwood (15) lower down the order, and together with Zuma added 74 runs for the ninth wicket, which was, by far, the best partnership of the Michaelhouse innings. Next best was his 42-run seventh wicket stand with Southwood.
Connor Holder led the St Andrew’s College run chase. He made his way to the crease in the fifth over and provided College’s innings with a lift, taking only 30 balls to score 44 runs. He and Sebastian Steffny, who weighed in with 30, shared a 61-run third-wicket partnership, which threatened to take the game away from Michaelhouse. But it ended when Steffny was run out by Graydon Leslie in the 14th over.
Cody Sander strengthened Michaelhouse’s position when he executed another run out to dismiss Holder seven balls later.
Thandanani Zuma was Michaelhouse’s best bowler, returning 2/27 from his four overs, while Rendani Nonge contributed 2/35 from his four.
St David’s Marist Inanda vs Kingswood College
Kingswood College concluded a successful Makhanda Cricket Festival campaign with a comfortable six-wicket win over St David’s Marist Inanda at City Lords. St David’s, who won the toss and chose to bat first, mustered only 110/5 in their 20 overs to which Kingswood replied with 114 with three overs in hand.
Daniel Jakins led Kingswood with the ball, claiming 2/13 from four penetrative overs. He was well supported by David Loudon and Rogan Goliath, who took a wicket each and kept the Johannesburg school in check. Jakins, who was outstanding during the St David’s innings, also executed a run out to dismiss Khutso Sekgobela in the 17th over.
Maru Challies was the highest run scorer for St David’s with an unbeaten 29 from 27 balls, while Michael Smithyman tallied 23 and Sohail Seonath 22.
Set a moderate victory target, Kingswood stumbled early in their chase, losing their openers, Daniel Jakins and Chad Roodt, for five and eight runs respectively. Christopher Zimmerman stabilised the innings, however, with a 26-run third-wicket partnership with James Meyer and followed that up with an even more fruitful stand with David Loudon, adding 53 runs for the fourth wicket.
That partnership took Kingswood to within nine runs of victory. Simon Sheard and Zimmerman then saw the home side to victory, with Zimmerman finishing unbeaten on 43.
Peterhouse vs Steyn City School
In another tight contest, Peterhouse, from Marondera, Zimbabwe, like their brother school, Michaelhouse, tasted victory. They held off Steyn City School, recording a narrow 17-run win.
Batting first, Peterhouse totalled a middling 128 all out, with Bean Spencer scoring 35, while Zach Potgieter sliced through the Zimbabweans’ batting, knocking over 5/25.
Keegan Smallbone delivered a sound innings for Steyn City, scoring 48, and Sachin Sunker made 23, but, despite their combined 71 runs, Steyn City was unable to reach the 129 they needed to win.
Victor Watama threw a spanner in the works, capturing 3/18, while Callum Scott-Elliot nabbed 2/20.
Graeme College vs St Alban’s College
Graeme College received a superb all-round performance from captain, Andrew Muir, in their four-wicket win over St Alban’s College.
He snapped up 3/20 and received good backing from Lisekho Zinyane, who took 2/20, as the Pretoria school clawed their way to 117 all out. Kyle Block made a healthy 45, but Will Hewitt, with 14, was the next best batsman, leaving the St Alban’s total a little light.
Muir tallied 25 not out, while Corbin Tidbury led the way with 32 as Graeme College replied with 118/6. Tristan Naidoo, with 2/13, and Musa Musooko, with 2/24, held up the home team’s push for victory, but they were not to be denied.
Summarised Scorecards
Michaelhouse 152/9 (Grayden Leslie 106*, Thandanani Zuma 21; Oliver Whitaker 3/12, William Stevens 2/15). St Andrew’s College 146/7 (Connor Holder 44, Sabastian Steffny 30; Thandanani Zuma 2/27, Rendani Nonge 2/35). Michaelhouse won by six runs.
St David’s Marist Inanda 110/5 (Maru Challies 29*, Michael Smithyman 23; Daniel Jakins 2/13, David Loudon 1/19). Kingswood 114/4 (Christopher Zimmerman 43*, David Loudon 25; Christopher Emslie 1/11, Kai Davis 1/9). Kingswood won by six wickets.
Peterhouse 128/10 (Bean Spencer 35, Chapman Taylor 22; Zach Potgieter 5/25, Brandan Lea 2/19). Steyn City 111/10 (Keegan Smallbone 48, Sachin Sunker 23; Victor Watama 3/18, Callum Scott-Elliot 2/20). Peterhouse won by 17 runs.
St Alban’s College 117/10 (Kyle Block 45, Will Hewitt 14; Andrew Muir 3/20, Lisekho Zinyane 2/18). Graeme College 118/6 (Corbin Tidbury 32, Andrew Muir 25*; Tristan Naidoo 2/13, Musa Musooko 2/24). Graeme College won by four wickets.
Schalk Fourie enjoyed a consistent festival with the bat for Rondebosch Boys’ High and helped them to a narrow victory over St Stithians College on the last day. Photo: Justin Waldman Sports Photography.
St Charles College vs Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies)
After pulling off a stunning back-from-the-dead win over Paul Roos Gimnasiumon Saturday, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) wrapped up their Peninsula Cricket Festival campaign with a fifth win on the trot – the only team to achieve that outstanding feat.
Playing at Rondebosch Cricket Club, they won the toss and elected to bat against St Charles College in a T20, which was the format for the last day of matches.
With consistent contributions from their top order, Affies galloped to 183/5 from their 20 overs, led by opening batman, AJ Morkel, who smashed eight fours and three sixes in a 49-ball stay that generated 64 runs.
His opening partner, JP Botha, chipped in with a quickfire 20 from 14, while Christiaan Linde, batting at three, hammered five fours in his 32 from 20.
Vihan Pretorius struck three sixes and batted at two runs a ball for his 24, while Daniel Murray ended on 17 not out.
The Saints‘ bowlers came in for some stick, but Keegan Vermaak did well under pressure, claiming 2/27 from his four overs.
St Charles started their run chase well enough, with captain Thandolwethu Zama and Matthew Weightman making 28 for the first wicket in only 19 balls. Zama and Ryan Clarke, then, added 26 in 18 before Zama was bowled by Nico Loggenberg with the total on 54 in the seventh over. He’d hit four fours and a six in his 24 from 26 balls.
Clarke went on to contribute 16 from 16, but St Charles lost their way after Zama departed. No other batsmen came close to reaching double figures; seven from Lebo Mokoena was the best of the rest.
Loggenberg, who got rid of the dangerous Zama, was a big reason for that. He snared 4/7 in four overs, while JP Botha was almost as effective. His four overs cost 18 runs and brought him three wickets.
In the end, Saints lasted only 16.5 overs and were all out for 97, giving Affies a convincing 86-run victory.
Hoërskool Waterkloof vs Bishops Diocesan College
Hoërskool Waterkloof put a bow on an excellent Peninsula Festival for Pretoria schools by chasing down Bishops Diocesan College‘s big 170/7 to win by seven wickets with eight balls in hand.
AJ de Villiers stole the show, clubbing five sixes and nine fours in an unbeaten 101 from only 60 balls. He was well supported by his opening partner, Rico van der Walt, who contributed 32 off 25 as they put up 66 runs for the first wicket. While Johan Feuth scored only 15, he and De Villiers added 50 for the third wicket.
Earlier, Bishops, who won the toss, totalled 170/7, which was built upon an opening stand of 75 from Litha Mbiko and Ibraheem Taliep.
Mbiko was caught off Johan Liebenberg for 22 from 21 balls. Then, crucially, Liebenberg trapped Thaafier Japtha in front off the very next ball. One run later, Waco Bassick also traipsed back to the pavilion, caught off of Christiaan Smit for a duck.
Bishops fell to 114/4 with the dismissal of Taliep, who cranked out nine fours and two sixes in a 40-ball knock that yielded 63 runs.
Harry Morgan smashed two fours and a six before he was run out for 20 from only 18 deliveries. Alex Vintcent, though, kept up the good work, with his 31 from 21 including three maximums.
Liebenberg claimed 2/27 from his four overs. The difference in the game was, however, AJ de Villiers’ hard-hitting century.
Pretoria Boys High vs Paul Roos Gimnasium
Pretoria Boys High completed a very successful festival with a fourth win from five matches, beating Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) by five wickets with seven balls to spare in Stellenbosch.
PRG headed to the crease first after winning the toss and made a fair start with Aiden Titus and Tian van Niekerk tallying 25 for the first wicket. The home side was, however, never quite able to get on top of the Boys High bowling.
Titus went on to the highest score of the innings, 28, from 29 balls, while Marcus Conradie finished with 21 not out as Paul Roos put up 115/6.
Ruan Coetzee nabbed 2/18 from four overs, and Jayden Knott-Craig kept the batsmen quiet with his 1/14 from four.
PBHS openers, Ethan Nel and Tim Gordon, then set their side up for victory with a 43-run partnership for the first wicket, which ended when Marcus Conradie caught Gordon for 29 from 20 off Dion Slabber. Gordon’s knock included two sixes and three fours. Nel was eventually the fourth wicket to fall for 26 from 33 balls.
Paul Roos kept it close, but they hadn’t put enough runs on the board, and Pretoria Boys High claimed the win with a ball left in the 19th over.
James Holm led the PRG attack, claiming 2/23 from four overs.
SACS vs Hilton College
In the match of the day, Hilton College bounced back from a disappointing defeat against Wynberg to hold off SACS and claim a nail-biting one-run win after a rollercoaster ride of a contest on De Villiers Field.
SACS chose to bowl first, and that decision brought them early success, with Hilton losing two wickets within the first two overs. In the seventh over, they slipped to 31/3.
That, however, brought Ben and Luke Wilson together, and they went about repairing the damage, adding 40 runs in 36 balls before Luke was caught by Mickey Watson off Aqeel Waggie for 25 from 23 balls. That left Hilton on 71/4 in the thirteenth over.
Although he batted third in the order on this occasion, as he had done on Saturday, when he carried his bat while opening, Ben Wilson finished the innings unbeaten. He top-scored with 41 from 44 balls, which included three fours.
Cameron Hargroves and James Peattie, with 16 each, helped him lift Hilton to 128/7 after their 20 overs.
Aqeel Waggie was the pick of the SACS bowlers, claiming 2/15 in four neat overs, while Benji Tilbury went for 13 in one over, but also removed two batsmen. Ronan Meintjies, who took the new ball, returned 1/15 from four.
Litha Kraai, then, got the home side off to a flyer, blasting four sixes and three fours in a 20-ball knock that brought him 40 runs. He was out early in the fifth over, but by then SACS had already reached 49 runs.
Obakeng Motsepa made it a double strike by dismissing the dangerous Aqeel Waggie a run later, but Benji Tilbury and Ulrich Roth then joined forces to add 46 from 44 deliveries, taking the total to 96 before Tilbury was caught by Benoit Rey off Luke Wilson for 10.
SACS was in a strong position, needing only 33 runs to win with 7.5 overs in hand, but Tilbury’s dismissal sparked a collapse, with three more wickets going down for the addition of just two more runs.
Suddenly, from 96/2 at the start of the thirteenth over, SACS was on 99/6 in the fourteenth, with Benoit Rey snagging two sticks and Luke Wilson executing a run out.
Crucially, the second of those four wickets to fall in quick succession was that of Ulrich Roth, who was out for 33 from 30 balls, having hit four fours and a six.
Raadhi Dollie and Abhay Kalan advanced the score by 12 runs from 14 balls, but the hosts had lost too many wickets and with that they lost momentum.
Opening bowler, Sechaba Gude, who had suffered under Litha Kraai’s early onslaught, came back to finish the game for Hilton, snatching the last two wickets, including one off the last ball, to save the contest for the KZN crew.
He took 3/44 from four, while Luke Wilson, with 2/7 in two, and Benoit Rey, with 2/8 in two, helped to turn the contest in their side’s favour. Obakeng Motsepa bagged 2/35 from four.
Rondebosch Boys’ High vs St Stithians College
Rondebosch Boys’ High was subjected to a stiff examination by St Stithians on ‘Bosch‘s Cricket A Field, but they held on for a hard-fought seven-run win, fielding superbly and picking up late wickets cheaply to slow the Saints‘ run pursuit.
A decision by St Stithians to bowl first paid off when Zaakir Hanslo dismissed the home team’s openers, Ethan De Heer Kloots and Eli Aufrichtig cheaply, but Tyler Heyns and Schalk Fourie handled the setback well, combining for 52 runs before Fourie was stumped off the bowling of Akhil Challa for 22 from 21 balls.
Tim Short took over from Fourie and he and Heyns kept the scoreboard ticking. They added 45 before Short become Challa’s second victim for 26 from 23 deliveries. Four runs later, Heyns fell to Hanslo for 56. It had taken him only 40 deliveries, two of which he deposited over the boundary, and four into it.
After their 20 overs, ‘Bosch totalled 145/7.
Zaakir Hanslo bowled superbly, capturing 3/20 from four overs, while Akhil Challa picked up 2/25 from his four.
Saints made a good start to their run chase, with Hamzah Shaikh and Matthew Katzenstein opening with a 56-run stand. It ended when Zion van Rensburg caught Katzentein off Arin Spiller for 26 from 20 balls, which included five fours.
Shaikh and Nicholas Bayly took the total to 88 before Bayly, in a crucial setback for Saints, was run out by Eli Aurfichtig for 25. He had launched three sixes in his 24-ball stay.
‘Bosch, then, made it a double whammy when Tim Short ran out Shaikh for the innings’ top score of 35 a ball later. He faced 34 deliveries and hit three fours and a six. Unbelievably, Matthew Anderson was out four runs later, also a victim of a run out, which left the Johannesburg side on 93/5.
Their innings had lost impetus, a result of good fielding and some poor running decisions. In the end, they finished with 138/8, done in not by the bowlers as much as the Rondebosch fielders.
Arin Spiller bagged 2/27 from four overs and Ethan De Heer Kloots 1/21 from four, while Eli Aufrichtig exerted considerable pressure with his 0/15 from four.
Noah du Plooy starred for Wynberg Boys’ High in a win over Pocthefstroom Gimnasium. He returned the Peninsula Festival’s best figures of 7/39 in a win over Hilton College. Photo: Justin Waldman Sports Photography.
Wynberg Boys’ High vs Potchefstroom Gimnasium
Wynberg Boys’ High completed their Peninsula Festival assignments with a comfortable 54-run win over Potchefstroom Gimnasium on the Jacques Kallis Oval.
They put up 166/4 before restricting Gim to just 112/7 in reply.
Put in to bat first, Wynberg made a solid start, with Matthew Saunders and Qaeed Shaikh posting 57 for the first wicket.
Shaik exited for a quickfire 32 from 15 balls, which featured four sixes, and shortly after Saunders followed for 26 from 20. Potch Gim, though, soon made it three wickets in the space of eight runs when they got rid of Fawaaz Hendricks.
At 65/3, the contest was evenly poised. That’s when Hugo Norambuena and Michail Tarentaal seized control of it for Wynberg. They advanced the total by 69 runs before Norambuena’s counterattack was ended by Bernard Judels. He had scored 37 off 36 balls, with two sixes and one four.
Tarentaal went on to match Shaik by smashing three sixes and not one four in his unbeaten 40 from 36 deliveries. Joshua Prince, meanwhile, blasted a couple of maximums himself, in a rapid 21 not out from 10 balls to lift Wynberg to 166/4.
Jahndré Coetzee was the pick of the Gim bowlers, dismissing Saunders and Hendricks at a cost of only 16 runs from his four overs.
Potch Gimnasium made a bright start to their run chase, with Christivan Coetzer and Ulrich Botha making 41 for the first wicket, but once Coetzer fell for 14 the innings petered out, with Gim falling way behind the required run rate.
From 41 without loss, Gim stumbled to 59/4, and from there the die was cast. Botha, though, kept pressing and he was rewarded with 52 from 58 balls, with three fours and a six. He was the fifth player out with the total on 89.
Bennet Keet made 15 from 22, but it was Noah du Plooy, again, who made a major difference. He snapped up 3/21 from four and removed three Potch Gim dangermen – Lukas Kotze, Bernard Judels and Jahndré Coetzee, batsmen three to five – for a combined one run.
Joshua Prince knocked over 2/2 in two overs, while Nicholas Stafford returned 1/22 from four as Potch Gimnasium’s challenge slipped away and they finished on 112/7.
Summarised scorecards
Affies 183/5 (AJ Morkel 64, Christiaan Linde 32, Vihan Pretorius 24, JP Botha 20; Keegan Vermaak 2/27); St Charles College 97/10 (Thandolwethu Zama 34; Nico Loggenberg 4/7, JP Botha 3/18). Affies won by 86 runs.
Paul Roos Gimnasium 115/6 (Aiden Titus 28, Marcus Conradie 21; Ruan Coetzee 2/18); Pretoria Boys High 116/5 (Tim Gordon 29, Ethan Nel 26; James Holm 2/23). Pretoria Boys High won by five wickets.
Bishops Diocesan College 170/7 (Ibraheem Taliep 63, Alex Vintcent 31, Litha Mbiko 22, Harry Morgan 20; Johan Liebenberg 2/27); Hoërskool Waterkloof 175/3 (AJ de Villiers 101*, Rico van der Walt 32; Thaafier Japhta 2/28). Hoërskool Waterkloof won by seven wickets.
Hilton College 128/7 (Ben Wilson 41*, Luke Wilson 25; Benji Tilbury 2/13, Aqeel Waggie 2/15); SACS 127/10 (Litha Kraai 40, Ulrich Roth 33; Sechaba Gude 3/44, Luke Wilson 2/7, Benoit Rey 28, Obakeng Motsepa 2/35). Hilton College won by one run.
Rondebosch Boys’ High 145/7 (Tyler Heyns 56, Tim Short 26, Schalk Fourie 22; Zaakir Hanslo 3/20, Akhil Challa 2/25); St Stithians College 138/8 (Hamzah Shaikh 35, Matthew Katzenstein 26, Nicholas Bayly 25; Arin Spiller 2/27). Rondebosch Boys’ High won by seven runs.
Wynberg Boys’ High 166/4 (Michail Tarentaal 40* Hugo Norambuena 37, Qaeed Shaik 32, Matthew Saunders 26; Jahndré Coetzee 2/16); Potchefstroom Gimnasium 112/7 (Ulrich Botha 52; Noah du Plooy 3/21, Joshua Prince 2/2). Wynberg Boys’ High won by 54 runs.
Maritzburg College’s Dax Jursa made a superb start to the season, scoring a superb 123 not out against Clifton College in the first innings of their declaration game on Goldstone’s. Photo: Maritzburg College on Facebook.
While many of KZN’s leading cricket schools were engaged in pre-season festival action, Maritzburg College and Clifton College locked horns in a traditional two-day fixture on Goldstones on Thursday and Friday. Although College largely dictated proceedings, they were unable to force a result in a contest that ultimately petered out into a draw.
The standout performance of the match came in College’s first innings courtesy of Dax Jursa, who arrived at the crease early after George Gooch struck twice to remove openers Akhil Bharath and Kyle de Bruyn with just five runs on the board.
Unfazed by the early wobble, Jursa produced a composed, innings-defining knock. He anchored the innings superbly, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries, while receiving valuable support along the way.
A patient third-wicket stand of 78 with Luka Puddu (29) steadied the innings, before Jursa combined with James Pembridge (22) to add 57 for the seventh wicket. Matt Bisset also chipped in with 13 during a 43-run eighth-wicket partnership.
College eventually declared on 254/8 after 65 overs, with Jursa unbeaten on a magnificent 123. His innings came from 174 balls and included 11 fours and three sixes, which underlined his authority at the crease.
For Clifton, Gooch impressed with the new ball, finishing with 2/28 from nine overs, while left-arm spinner Blake Johnson bowled a tireless and controlling spell, sending down 24 overs, including four maidens, and claimed 3/63 to keep the hosts in check.
Clifton’s reply never really gained momentum. Although six batsmen reached double figures, no one went on to make an impactful contribution. Jack Snaith‘s 27 was the top score, with opener Yusuf Ahmed (21) and Hayden Drieselmann (21) the only others to pass 20.
Tuskers‘ Khaya Majola Week quick, Reece Willson, led the College attack superbly with the new ball, returning 3/41 from 11 overs. Dom du Toit (2/14 from six) and Akhil Bharath (2/13 from 11) applied the squeeze through the middle overs as Clifton was bowled out for 147 after 47.4 overs, handing College a 107-run first-innings lead.
College spent 45 overs at the crease in their second innings before declaring on 218/9. Bharath (69) and Jursa (41) once took charge, combining for 93 runs off 109 balls for the second wicket. Puddu added 24, while Willson contributed 22 lower down the order.
Blake Johnson was again the pick of the Clifton bowlers, removing three College batsmen for just 21 runs in 10 overs.
With leg-spinner Shiraz Perumal set to return – having represented the Dolphins at the Khaya Majola Week and the Coastal Conquerors at the CSA Cubs Week – Clifton will boast, arguably, the most potent spin pairing in the province. Perumal claimed a Clifton-record 95 wickets last season.
Adam Dickin, unused in College’s first innings despite Clifton employing seven bowlers, made an impact when finally introduced. He sent down 15 overs in the second innings and finished with figures of 4/77.
Clifton’s second innings followed a similar pattern to the first, with resistance but little fluency. Daniyaal Klinck top scored with 28, while Ethan Grieselmann (24*) was the only other batsman to reach the twenties.
There was, however, plenty of grit on display as Johnson (16 off 38 balls) and Connor Jackson (15* off 65) frustrated College’s push for victory late on.
When stumps were finally drawn after 54 overs of Clifton’s second innings, the visitors were on 138/8 – well short of their target but safely out of danger.
Willson rounded off an excellent match by adding 3/16 from 12 overs to his first innings’ haul, while du Toit backed up his earlier efforts with 2/10 from six overs as College threw 10 bowlers at Clifton in a final attempt to force a result.
Summarised scorecard
First innings
Maritzburg College 254/8 dec. (Dax Jursa 123*, Luke Puddu 29, James Pembridge 22; Blake Johnson 3/63, George Gooch 2/28); Clifton College 147/10 (Jack Snaith 27, Hayden Drieselmann 21, Yusuf Ahmed 21; Reece Willson 3/41, Akhil Bharath 2/13, Dom du Toit 2/14).
Second innings
Maritzburg College 218/9 dec. (Akhil Bharath 69, Dax Jursa 41, Reece Willson 22; Adam Dickin 4/77, Blake Johnson 3/21); Clifton College 138/8 (Daniyaal Klinck 28, Ethan Grieselmann 24*; Reece Willson 3/16, Dom du Toit 2/10).
Cullen Marais made it back-to-back centuries when he took Jeppe for a ton on Saturday. Photo: Grey High on Instagram.
Grey High vs Jeppe High School for Boys
Grey High opener, Cullen Marais, has enjoyed the home conditions at the Grey Festival, playing two innings and scoring two centuries thus far.
On Saturday, he and James Upton arrived at the crease after the hosts won the toss against Jeppe High School for Boys and decided to bat first in a 50-over contest on the Pollock Oval.
Facing 100 balls, Marais hammered 14 fours and two sixes in a brilliant 102. Upton, at the other end, supported him with a conservative 42 off 68 as the pair produced a first wicket partnership of 118 runs off 132 deliveries to lay a strong foundation.
After their dismissals, however, the visitors’ bowling attack found their rhythm and Grey was bowled out for 247 after 49 overs. Reza Ayob led Jeppe’s effort, capturing 3/21 in 10 overs.
When they replied, the Johannesburg locals struggled to develop a solid foundation of their own. Ryan Young, batting at five, was Jeppe’s best batsman, scoring 45 off 72 balls.
However, the match steadily tilted firmly in favour of the home side, resulting into a feeding frenzy for the Grey bowlers. Anfred Jansen snapped up 3/11 in three overs, while Connor Parry took 2/10 in four, and Matthew Tinley put the contest to bed with his 2/12 from 5.2 overs.
After 200 deliveries, Jeppe was bowled all out for 121, leaving Grey High with a resounding 126-run victory.
St Andrew’s School vs Kearsney College
St. Andrew’s School and Kearsney College met at Victoria Park High, where the Botha’s Hill residents won the toss and continued the festival’s trend of opting to bat first.
Unfortunately for them, like pharmacists in a lab, there was chemistry in the Saints‘ bowling attack.
Heindré Serfontein and Erhard Barends put the Greyhounds‘ batting lineup under pressure with their economic bowling, with the former returning 0/17 in five overs, and the latter achieving 0/19 in 10 miserly overs.
The pressure piled up and caused the Kearsney batsmen to play a bit too ambitiously. Schalk van Rensburg and Ryle Beckmann took advantage of that anxiety and nabbed 3/21 in six overs and 2/17 in nine respectively.
At the back end, Nikhil Sukraj wrapped the innings up like a Christmas present, dispatching 5/30 in 8.4 overs as Kearsney was bowled out for 105 after 38.4 overs.
Opener, Gary Verbaan, cracked six fours and a six in an unbeaten 48 off 91 deliveries, but found little support from his fellow batsmen.
Leg spinner Rivan Moodley snared 4/43 in the St Andrew’s run chase, which took his festival haul to an impressive 10/108 from 201 deliveries across two innings.
However, the Bloemfontein boys needed only 25.4 overs to take victory by five wickets. Captain Reuben van Aarde was once again his side’s top scorer, tallying three fours and a six in his 25 off 39 deliveries.
Pearson High vs Grey College
Pearson High, well beaten by St Andrew’s in a declaration game, reversed their fortunes when they took on Saints‘ Bloemfontein neighbours, Grey College, at home.
Opener Christian Kind got the visitors off to a strong start, smashing six fours and two sixes in his 48 off 41 before he was caught by Ruan Coetzee off the bowling of Sulaymaan Gangat, who gave Grey headaches, nabbing 4/29 in 10 overs.
Daniel Ritchie also troubled the Grey batmen, picking up 3/33 from 7.5 overs as College was dismissed for 151 after 34.5 overs.
Openers, Juandré van Rooyen and Cale Price, then gave Pearson a strong start to their run chase, scoring 22 and 27 respectively, while putting on 67 for the first wicket.
They were aided by an untidy effort from the Grey bowlers, who gave up 24 wides as part of 29 extras. That boosted Pearson’s efforts and an unbeaten 29 from Gangat helped them overhaul the victory target in 40.3 overs for the loss of six wickets.
Summarised Scorecards
Grey High 247/10 (Cullen Marais 102, James Upton 42, Anfred Jansen 23, Logan Goddard-Ford 22, Extras 20; Reza Ayob 3/21, Phumelo Sekopane 2/43, Lincoln Casais 2/54, Shreth Kumar 2/55); Jeppe High School for Boys 121/10 (Ryan Young 45, Lincoln Casais 24; Anfred Jansen 3/11, Connor Parry 2/10, Matthew Tinley 2/12). Grey High won by 126 runs.
Kearsney College 105/10 (Gary Verbaan 48*; Nikhil Sukraj 5/30, Schalk van Rensburg 3/21, Kyle Beckmann 2/17); St Andrew’s School 106/5 (Reuben van Aarde 25, Erhard Barends 22; Rivan Moodley 4/42). St. Andrew’s School won by five wickets.
Grey College 151/10 (Christian Kind 48, River Scott 29, Ethan Helmand 21; Sulaymaan Gangat 4/29, Daniel Ritchie 3/33); Pearson High 153/6 (Sulaymaan Gangat 29*, Extras 29, Cale Price 27, Juandré van Rooyen 22; Daniel Hattingh 3/38, Juan Maree 2/27). Pearson High won by four wickets.
