Hans Moore makes history with first ever Fain Noordvaal title
The Hoërskool Hans Moore 1st XI made history by claiming the school’s first-ever Fain Noordvaal title after beating Hoërskool Middelburg by seven wickets on St Alban’s College’s TC Mitchell Oval on Saturday.
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It was an exceptional day for the Moories’ vice-captain, Henré Everleigh. Not only was he part of the winning team, but Everleigh also equalled the school’s record for the most wickets in a season.
At the start of play, he had 59 to his name, but Everleigh was intent on producing a special performance in the biggest game of his school career.
Bowling seven overs, the Hans Moore opening bowler snapped up the four wickets he needed to equal the record and, at the same time, conceded only 16 runs to heap further pressure on the Middelburg batsmen.
The spin twins, Kyle Wratten and Kenan Shaw provided good support and shared six wickets between them. Wratten snared 3/27 in nine overs, while Shaw bowled his full quota of 10 overs and claimed 3/29.
The trio’s efforts led to a massive Middies’ collapse as the side from Mpumalanga lost six wickets for only five runs, slipping from 120/4 to 125 all out.
Reuben Brandmuller and Eduan Strydom were the only standouts for Middelburg, with Brandmuller weighing in with a mature 43 runs and Strydom contributing 33 as they shared a 76-run partnership.
While the Middies’ batsmen scored slowly, Hans Moore’s batsman, took a different approach and went on the attack right from the get-go. Adrian Watson, with 16, and Kenan Shaw, with 20, took only 6.4 overs to rustle up 48 runs for the first wicket.
They departed in quick succession, though, without the addition of a run, with Watson falling victim to Strydom and Shaw chipping a catch to mid-wicket off the bowling of Gavin Genis, who picked up 1/33.
Strydom castled the Moories’ captain, Warren Minnaar, shortly before lunch for his second wicket, but it was to be the last wicket taken by Middelburg.
After lunch, the impressive Xavier Coetzee continued his good form, playing freely for an unbeaten 32 runs from 35 deliveries. Aiden Shaw made a telling contribution, striking an unbeaten 28 from 33 as he and Coetzee saw the Benoni school to victory off the second ball of the 20th over.
Meanwhile, also at St Alban’s College, but on the Baloyi Oval, Hoërskool Garsfontein successfully defended their u15 Noordvaal title, recording a comfortable 56-run win over Hoërskool Waterkloof.
Arrie Verster was the Garsies’ mainstay with the willow. The middle-order batsmen came to his side’s rescue after some early trouble, which was brought on by Klofies’ new ball bowler William van den Berg, who captured 4/32, and Christiaan Smit, who took 3/35.
Verster did a good job of occupying the crease, spending 95 balls out in the middle while compiling 79 runs, which was the key innings in Garsfontein’s 181 all out.
Waterkloof mustered just 125 in response as the Garsies’ bowlers dominated. Katlego Lebelo led the way with the ball, snapping up one wicket in his first spell before returning for a second spell, during which he did more damage by claiming another two scalps. The young quick eventually ended with an impressive and match-winning return of 3/32 from 10 overs.
Under heavy pressure from Garsfontein’s good bowling and high-intensity fielding, Waterkloof struggled, but Wynand Gouws grafted hard for 35 runs. Unfortunately for him, only Lian Claasen, with 21, offered good support.
Ruan Cuyler, with 2/8, and Iwan Trollope, with 2/25, gave solid backing to Lebelo, leading to Waterkloof coming up 57 runs short of the victory target.
Summarised scorecards
1st Team Final
Hoërskool Middelburg 125/10 (Reuben Brandmuller 43, Eduan Strydom 32; Henre Everleigh 4/16, Kyle Wratten 3/27, Kenan Shaw 3/29); Hans Moore 129/3 (Xavier Coetzee 32*, Aiden Shaw 28*, Kenan Shaw 20; Eduan Strydom 2/42). Hans Moore won by seven wickets.
U15 Final
Garsfontein 181/10 (Arrie Verster 79, Dean Wilbers 20; William van den Berg 4/32, Christiaan Smit 3/35); Waterkloof 125/10 (Wynand Gouws 35, Lian Claasen 21; Katlego Lebelo 3/32, Ruan Cuyler 2/8, Iwan Trollope 2/25). Garsfontein won by 56 runs.
