As tight as it gets, but Northwood perseveres over Parkies
Northwood claimed the closest victory of the 2025 Wildekalwer as they pipped Die Hoërskool Menlopark in a fixture that went all the way down to a super over.
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By the end of 40 overs, the two sides were locked at 124 runs each. Parkies’ Jovan Hartman led his side’s batting efforts with an unbeaten 36 runs, while, for Northwood, Thomas Oosthuizen (38) and James Searle (29) put in the hard yards.
As far as the bowling went, Thabiso Mtambo was Northwood’s pick with 2/21, while for the Parkies, Heinrich Claassen produced an economical spell for figures of 1/13, playing a major role in forcing the match to go to a super over. In the super over, Keegan Reeves was the deciding factor with 2/6, which clinched the match for the side from KZN.
St Andrew’s School finally enjoyed the taste of victory, handing the “Horseflies” of Durban High School their third defeat on the bounce, but only by a mere three runs. Andrew Sobiech (58) and Grové du Preez (45) played leading roles in Saint’s first victory.
Sobiech’s 58 might just prove to be the turning point for the side from Bloemfontein, following their batting woes over the weekend thus far, helping his side to their highest total (158/8) in three encounters.
Ethan Cooper replied with a superlative 72, supported by Ismaeel Omar (27). Leg-spinners Nikhil Sukraj (2/19) and FG Botha (2/32), however, halted the Horseflies’ charge to secure the narrow victory.
Paul Roos Gimnasium also claimed a first victory at this year’s tournament, beating Grey College by an equally nail-biting two runs. Matthew Seymore, originally from the Highveld, led the Paul Roos batting attack with 45 runs. Liam Basson supported with 38 to get the side from the Western Cape to 140/7 in 20 overs.
Grey College appeared set to chase the target down comfortably, especially after Daniel Hattingh got going for his 63. His wicket, however, came at just the right time, claimed by Marcus Conradie (2/17), and changed the flow of the game.
Affies recovered from an earlier loss and disappointing batting display against Jeppe to beat the CSA Hub Invitational XI convincingly by 60 runs.
Opening batsman JP Botha was at his fluent best with a quick but mature 72, while youngsters Christian Linde (37) and Albie Morkel’s offspring, AJ Morkel (36), contributed well to lead the defending champions to 180/6 in 20 overs.
The ever-reliant duo of Ruben Groenewald and Vihan Pretorius then did their thing with the ball, claiming 3/14 each, to restrict the CSA Hub side to 120/9 in their allotted 20 overs.
Summarised scorecards
Menlopark 124/7 (Jovan Hartman 36*; Jordan Matthews 2/21, Thabiso Mtambo 2/33); Northwood 124/5 (Thomas Oosthuizen 38; James Searle 29; Heinrich Claassen 1/13). Northwood won in the super over.
St Andrew’s School 158/8 (Andrew Sobiech 58, Grové du Preez 45; Schalk van Rensburg 22; Bayanda Majola 3/18, Ethan Cooper 3/22); Durban High School 155/5 (Ethan Cooper 72, Ismaeel Omar 27; Nikhil Sukraj 2/19, FG Botha 2/32). St Andrew’s School won by three runs.
Paul Roos Gimnasium 140/7 (Matthew Seymore 45, Liam Basson 38; Henru de Wet 1/23); Grey College 138/6 (Daniel Hattingh 63, Peter le Roux 28, River Scott 20; Marcus Conradie 2/17). Paul Roos won by two runs.
Affies 180/6 (JP Botha 72, Christian Linde 37, AJ Morkel 36; Awonke Mngini 2/28); CSA Hub Invitational XI 120/9 (Lona Pitoli 32*; Ruben Groenewald 3/14, Vihan Pretorius 3/14). Affies won by 60 runs.
