Easterns down to a two-horse race for Noordvaal Qualification
There are currently only two unbeaten teams left in the Easterns Premier Schools League, Hoërskool Kempton Park and defending champions, Hoërskool Hans Moore.
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This could set things up nicely for the final clash of the 50-over round-robin stage, on 20 September in Kempton Park, making the fixture an unofficial final, and vital to qualifying for the Noordvaal competition following the respective leagues across five provinces.
Both teams, however, have unpredictable hurdles to overcome first.
The Kempies face Hoërskool Dinamika at home. The visitors from Alberton will certainly be buzzing after a 22-run victory over Hoërskool Dr. EG Jansen last weekend.
The recent form of top-order batsman, Mohammed Valli, and Branko Steenberg in the middle order should also excite Coach Jacques Venter. Both batters were exceptional against the Jansies, with Valli falling just one run short of what would have been a memorable century.
In addition, it was the bowling department that ultimately got them over the line. The bowling attack will be a key weapon against a class lineup in Kempton Park.
Sheldon Kruger‘s bat has already caused damage with a double hundred earlier in the season. Alongside him, Shuan Nash and the ever-present Wian Pieters also pose a threat with the willow. Pieters will also play a pivotal role with the ball, while Kristiaan du Plessis, the Kempies’ Khaya Majola fast bowler, will charge in from the other side.
In Benoni, Hans Moore welcomes the wounded Jansies. Despite boasting arguably the strongest batting lineup in the league, coach Paul Amorim says his charges will still be wary of the threat that Jaco Engelbrecht and the rest of Jansie’s attack pose. Engelbrecht, of course, picked up six wickets in an over against Border Kei at last year’s u16 National Week in Pretoria.
Captain Adrian Watson and especially spearhead batsman Xavier Coetzee have been in good form in recent times. Coetzee has already scored two consecutive centuries, first alongside Watson’s 196 against Dinamika and then a classy 105 against Marais Viljoen the following week. In the latter, Stephan Vermaak also raised his bat, top-scoring with 120, adding significant potency to an already formidable batting lineup.
Hoërskool Marais Viljoen faces Benoni High School in Alberton. Despite being out of the race for Noordvaal qualification, the Marais Viljoen side would dearly love to regain winning momentum. Although on the losing side against the Moories, Abdullaha Tadwala, also a Kahaya Majola representative, alongside captain Jaden Govender, was amongst the runs again. He will definitely add value with the ball, too.
