Stellenberg and Reddam clinch victory in thrilling midweek T20 action
Stellenberg snatched a nail-biting victory over Boland Landbou in an epic, low-scoring showdown in the northern suburbs on Thursday.
After dismissing Boland Landbou for only 72 runs, the visitors launched a brilliant counteroffensive that tested the depth of the Stellenberg lineup.
Both outfits’ batsmen struggled with the pink ball, but the home team’s tailenders kept their cool just enough to scrape to victory by a single wicket with only nine balls left to play.
Boland won the toss and elected to bat first. In the early going, Gerrad Kamalie and JJ Rothman kept the visiting opening batsmen quiet, before sending them both back to the sheds, and after that the Boland lineup crumbled.
Jan Jak Alberts led the charge for the hosts, removing three Boland batsmen for only nine runs. Kamalie also scalped three, while Rothman and Michael Amoedo claimed two apiece and conceded only 17 runs between the two of them.
Boland never found any rhythm at the crease and that left them with a modest total of 72 to defend, a seemingly impossible task.
However, Gunther Schmidt and Lyle Lewis gave the farmers a flying start by snaring the Stellenberg openers early.
Kyle van Santen‘s brisk 26 off of 18 deliveries, though, put Boland under immense pressure. His crucial contribution got Stellenberg to within 32 runs, with eight wickets standing and plenty of balls from which to score those runs.
Lewis, then, sparked a valiant fightback, removing Van Santen, which caused the hosts to stumble.
After another Lewis wicket, Marius du Plessis took over the attack and sent three more batsmen packing. He also delivered two vital maiden overs towards the end of the game, which reduced the Stellenberg buffer and increased the pressure on the run chase.
As Stellenberg found themselves under the pump, Yiva Dwaleni (3*), Lohann Pretorius (2*) and Jan Jak Alberts (4) exhibited great maturity to remain calm even when their team found themselves in need of eight runs, with only two wickets left.
They were patient and resilient in the face of a relentless Boland onslaught, chipping away bit by bit, until finally, they secured victory in the penultimate over of the game.
There was another tension-filled affair in Somerset West on the Taberer Oval, where Reddam House Constantia scraped a two-run win over Somerset College in their T20 clash.
Batting first, Leo Del Cuore, with 42, led the Reddam batting effort, which produced a total of 146/5.
For most of the match, Somerset, in pursuit, lagged behind the required run-rate, but Tyrone Rieth (47) and Jonno Firth (36) got the hosts back on track.
It was a mad dash to the line in the final overs, as the hosts kept their run rate up, even though Reddam were claiming wickets.
The final over began with Somerset 10 runs adrift and with four wickets in hand. The first delivery was struck for three runs. That was, however, followed by a wicket.
Five runs from the following three deliveries and a wicket from the final ball left Somerset College tantalisingly close as the contest came to an electric end.
Paul Roos Gimnasium looked to Liam Basson to guide them to victory in a thrilling T20 battle against Parel Vallei in Stellenbosch.
Neil Barnard struck early for the Stellenbosch outfit, but Sevi Barlow (32) and Joshua Pretorius (21) provided a positive start to the innings for Parel Vallei.
Barlow smashed five boundaries, including a six, before Liam Basson palmed a catch to send the PV opener back to the sheds.
Barlow’s wicket was the first of three for Dian Winkel, who led the hosts’ attack, while conceding only 11 runs.
Defending 130/7, Christopher Hughes had early success for the visitors, but Basson’s brisk undefeated 69 secured victory for Paul Roos in the 19th over.
Cornel Swart did well to absorb the initial pressure after the first two wickets fell, with his stubborn resistance adding 39 runs to the Paul Roos cause.
In a local derby, the opening pair of Charlie Hofmeyr 2nd XI batted through 17 overs in their victory over the 1st XI of their neighbours, Ceres Secondary.
Ryan Lee Hendricks smashed 111 at a strike rate of nearly 200, with his combative knock featuring 11 fours and seven maximums, which helped his side set their rivals a tough chase.
Jandré Wessels added to Ceres Secondary’s woes, scoring 50 runs while anchoring the partnership.
Summarised Scorecards
Boland Landbou 72 (Stefan Conradie 15; Jan Jak Alberts 3/9, Gerrad Kamalie 3/14, Michael Amoedo 2/5, JJ Rothman 2/12); Stellenberg 73/9 (Kyle van Santen 26; Marius du Plessis 3/7, Lyle Lewis 3/21). Stellenberg won by one wicket.
Reddam House Constantia 146/5 (Leo Del Cuore 42, Mitchell Welch 24, Ethan Leroy 21; Troy Varie 2/15); Somerset College 144/8 (Tyrone Rieth 47, Jonno Firth 36, Chad Ayford 27; Hayden Blanckensee 3/19, Joe Gitlin 2/27). Reddam House Constantia won by two runs.
Parel Vallei 130/7 (Sevi Barlow 32, Joshua Pretorius 21; Dian Winkel 3/11); Paul Roos Gimnasium 134/3 (Liam Basson 69*, Cornel Swart 39*; Christopher Hughes, 2/20). Paul Roos Gimnasium won by seven wickets.
Charlie Hofmeyr II 200/2 (Ryan Lee Hendricks 111, Jandré Wessels 50, Extras 25; Xavier Baron 2/35); Ceres Secondary 127 (Marlin 37, Xavier Baron 28, Ezrin Cedras 21; Gawie de Wet 2/6). Charlie Hofmeyr II won by 73 runs.
