Bishops atones against Boishaai, Short spins ‘Bosch to victory
Bishops Diocesan College vs Paarl Boys’ High
Playing in a 65-overs-a-side declaration format match on the Frank Reid Oval, Bishops Diocesan College won the toss and decided to bat first against Paarl Boys’ High on Saturday morning.
There’s no doubt that the Diocesan College outfit was looking for a measure of revenge after last weekend’s action, when Boishaai defeated the 2025 national champion in the semi-final of the Western Cape Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two, before going on to win the regional title.
The hosts batted consistently, with seven of their first eight batsmen making it into the twenties. The exception was Harry Morgan, who top-scored with 45 runs off 35 balls, whacking two fours and four sixes along the way.
Aden Batt, the Boys’ High captain, led from the front as usual, snaring 4/70 with his left-arm spin after an arduous 17.4 overs.
Christo Muller was effective in his five overs, claiming 2/23, as Bishops posted 238 all out after 49.4 overs.
The Boishaai top order was fairly effective in the chase. Opener Neil Louw top-scored with the match’s only half-century, cracking six fours in an otherwise conservative 54 off 96 balls. His fellow opener, Reese Peterson, contributed 21 to an opening stand of 61 runs.
Christo Muller, who came in at three, added a solid 27 off 40 balls, and the visitors, on 122/3, appeared to be in good shape. The Bishops’ bowlers, though, were eager to have their say.
Thaafier Japhta challenged the batsmen throughout his 16 overs, which brought him 3/45, while Harry Morgan matched that return, with his 3/45 coming from 11.3 overs.
After 58.3 overs, Paarl Boys’ High was bowled out for 186, leaving Bishops the winners by 52 runs, and giving them the satisfaction of quickly reversing the setback they had suffered the previous weekend at Boishaai’s hands.
Rondebosch Boys’ High vs Paarl Gimnasium
Lady luck favoured Paarl Gimnasium at the toss in their 50-over bout against Rondebosch Boys’ High in Cape Town, on Saturday. They found the going tough against a tight ‘Bosch bowling attack, however.
Opener Wian Munnik scored 22 runs, while his fellow opener, Franco Boonzaaier, struck four fours in his measured 48 off 103 deliveries.
Derrick Groenewald, the fifth man to the crease, was the third and final Gimmies‘ batsman to go beyond 20, adding a steady 31 off 51.
Timothy Short, the Rondebosch left-arm off-spinner, was in peak form. He captured a commanding 6/23 in nine overs, including three wickets in his final over, which reduced Paarl Gim from 144/7 after 43 overs to 145 all out after 44.
The Rondebosch run chase didn’t start smoothly, with three of their top five being dispatched for single-digit scores. Their bowling hero, Timothy Short, with 20 off 30, and Tyler Heyns, with 37 off 67, provided the innings with some substance.
However, the southern suburbs side found themselves staring down the barrel on 102/8. Matthew Brooks, at six, stood his ground, though. He held the innings together and played well with the tail, on his way to an unbeaten 36 off 64 balls, with four fours, which guided ‘Bosch to 150/9 after 45 overs and a nail-biting win by just one wicket.
Wian Munnik and De Waal Vivier came ever so close to seeing the visitors to victory, claiming 3/26 from 10 overs, and 3/31 from nine, respectively.
Summarised Scorecards
Bishops Diocesan College 238/10 (Harry Morgan 45, Waco Bassick 29, Litha Mbiko 26, Alex Vintcent 25, Luc Dicey 24, Cameron Macbeth 24, Thaafier Japhta 23, Ibraheem Taliep 23; Aden Batt 4/70, Christo Muller 2/23); Paarl Boys’ High 186/10 (Neil Louw 54, Christo Muller 27, Ra-eez Isaacs 21, Reese Petersen 21; Thaafier Japhta 3/45, Harry Morgan 3/45, Waco Bassick 2/22). Bishops won by 52 runs.
Paarl Gimnasium 146/10 (Franco Boonzaaier 48, De Waal Vivier 31, Wian Munnik 22; Timothy Short 6/23, Alex du Plessis 2/8); Rondebosch Boys’ High 150/9 (Tyler Heyns 37, Matthew Brooks 36*, Extras 21, Timothy Short 20; Wian Munnik 3/26, De Waal Vivier 3/31). Rondebosch Boys’ High won by one wicket.
