Rondebosch runs through Boishaai, Salie leads SACS to success
Despite Diaan van der Westhuizen‘s excellent 71-run stay for Paarl Boys’ High, they were unable to upset the mighty Rondebosch Boys’ High in their own backyard on Saturday.
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Rondebosch were without the services of their stalwart Raeeq Daniels, who has recently been called up to replace the injured Martin Khumalo in the South African u19 squad at the ICC u19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Even without his services, though, David Simon and James Kirsten laid down the challenge early on, dismissing the first three batsmen while conceding few runs, which slowed Boishaai’s attempts to build an innings to a crawl.
Van der Westhuizen’s innings stood in stark contrast with the rest of his team, besides JJ van der Sandt, who stuck it out for 80 deliveries in a supporting role.
Nathan Ball led the charge for the ‘Bosch bowlers, picking up three wickets, as the home team patiently maintained pressure on the visitors until the final Paarl Boys’ wicket fell in the 57th over.
Replying, Dan Cooke (23) and Noah Heath (34) provided the hosts with a steady start, but it was Declan Gillespie who played the pivotal innings, contributing an unbeaten 57 as Rondebosch claimed another victory.
SACS’ captain Reza Salie struck a powerful 72 run not out to drive his side over the line against Paarl Gimnasium.
Gim decided to bat first on their home pitch and were led by a solid knock from Jandré Botha (42), but Litha Kraai made light work of the top order. Ulrich Roth then stole the spotlight, taking four more wickets for the Cape Town school.
Chasing 135, Salie delivered a captain’s knock to steer SACS to victory, with Kieran Bowers‘ 44 also playing a big part in their comfortable seven-wicket win.
In the northern suburbs, Stellenberg was involved in a second low-scoring thriller in succession after they had managed to chase down Boland Landbou’s 72 with only a wicket to spare on Thursday.
Batting first against Tygerberg, the Stellenberg batsmen were skittled for a measly 58. Aarin Barends (4/17) and Mondre Julies (3/15) spearheaded the Tigers’ attack on their home field and left their batsmen a seemingly easy run chase.
Tygerberg, however, lost one of their openers to a run out, and after that Jan Jak Alberts and Lohann Pretorius produced a bowling masterclass to capture nine wickets and leave the home team nine runs shy of victory.
Summarised Scorecards
Paarl Boys High 135 (Diaan van der Westhuizen 71, JJ van der Sandt 30; Nathan Ball 3/31, David Simon 2/13); Rondebosch Boys’ High 140/4 (Declan Gillespie 57*, Noah Heath 34, Dan Cooke 23; Christian Wege 2/23). Rondebosch Boys’ High won by six wickets.
Paarl Gimnasium 150 (Adriaan Louw 62, Jandré Botha 42; Ulrich Roth 4/41, Litha Kraai 2/32); SACS 151/3 (Reza Salie 72*, Kieran Bowers 44; De Waal Vivier 2/28). SACS won by seven wickets.
Stellenberg 58 (Extras 27; Aarin Barends 4/17, Mondre Julies 3/15); Tygerberg 50 (Extras 20; Jan Jak Alberts 5/16, Lohann Pretorius 4/19). Stellenberg won by eight runs.
