Bishops weather Weges’ two-pronged attack in Paarl
Bishops Diocesan College maintained their unblemished record for the year by weathering a spirited Paarl Boys’ High challenge away from home on Saturday.
The hosts’ Wege brothers nearly brought an end to Bishops’ winning streak, but the peninsular powerhouse eked out another impressive victory after a gruelling unlimited overs’ battle.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, however, Bishops found themselves in hot water, with Ronaldo Windvogel capturing two wickets before any runs were on the board.
Thaafier Japhta stopped the rot, making a well-struck 65, to give the hosts’ batting lineup a much-needed injection of runs, but he was merely a spectator as Christiaan Wege picked off his teammates at the other end.
Wege removed five of the visiting batsmen, including Japhta, before Waco Bassick and Peyton Leigh salvaged the visitors’ innings with a superb partnership of 94 runs.
Leigh anchored their stay, stubbornly facing 71 deliveries for his 21 runs, while Bassick continued his phenomenal run of form, bludgeoning 12 boundaries in a crucial knock of 88 runs.
Bishops reached 229 before Aiden Batt finally took care of Bassick in the 70th over to bring the visitors’ innings to an end.
Wege’s bowling had left the door open for the Boishaai batsmen, but Tiaan Louw rocked them early on, dismissing Wege before Bassick also struck to leave Boishaai flustered on 7/2.
Johan Wege then made his presence felt as he and Dian van der Westhuizen shared a 63-run partnership before Leigh ended it by sending Van der Westhuizen’s wickets tumbling.
Wege resolutely launched a valiant solo effort to take his side to the win. He tallied 97 from 157 deliveries before Leigh trapped him in front within touching distance of a century. Bishops triumphed by 32 runs.
It was an exhilarating battle and another impressive performance from Bishops, who are enjoying a dominant season as the school celebrates its 175th anniversary. They play Pearson next in a T20 on Sunday. The visitors from the Eastern Cape will be seeking to claim their biggest scalp yet.
Meanwhile, Hoërskool Durbanville beat DF Malan by the narrowest of margins in their limited overs match.
After Xander van Aarde smashed 62 runs at the tail end to help Durbies to 222, Calla du Toit’s three wickets for eight runs in five overs played a massive role in restricting DF Malan to 221/8.
Summarised Scorecards
3 February
Bishops Diocesan College 232 (Waco Bassick 88, Thaafier Japhta 65, Peyton Leigh 22; Christiaan Wege 5/56, Ronaldo Windvogel 2/34); Paarl Boys’ High 197 (Johan Wege 97, Dian van der Westhuizen 52; Peyton Leigh 4/39, Waco Bassick 3/46). Bishops Diocesan College won by 32 runs.
Hoërskool Durbanville 222/9 (Xander van Aarde 62, Extras 38, Liam Kirsten 25*, Hugo Bredell 21*, Calla du Toit 21; Johan Janse van Rensburg 2/42, Eddie Fick 2/44); DF Malan 221/8 (D’Neil du Toit 59, Benjamin Grobler 44, Johan Janse van Rensburg 35*, Extras 31, Reuben Braxton 20; Calla du Toit 3/8, Hugo Bredell 2/32). Hoërskool Durbanville won by one run.
Stellenberg 206/9 (Extras 54, Kyle van Santen 51, Arnu Koen 41, Gerrad Kamalie 20; Jean Oosthuizen 5/39, Aiden Barnardo 2/24); Brackenfell 138 (Jean Oosthuizen 34, Franco Kitching 30; Lohann Pretorius 3/28, Gerrad Kamalie 2/26, Jan Jak Alberts 2/28). Stellenberg won by 67 runs.
Fairmont 243/9 (Razeen Parker 60, Daniel Beelders 52, Kyle Maclean 37, Extras 36, Byron Garton 26*, Justin Passman 21; Daniel Myburgh 3/40, Ryan Dednam 2/34, Caleb Jonkers 2/52); Curro Durbanville 142 (Alex van der Westhuizen 26, Extras 23, Daniel Myburgh 20*; Byron Garton 3/20, Joshua Martin 3/41, Daniel Anderson 2/33, Samuel Hoctor 2/34). Fairmont won by 101 runs.
Tygerberg High 209 (Mondré Julies 71, Lee-Charn Koopman 47, Extras 36, Dylan van Tonder 21; Connor Smith 4/31, Dlyagan Harpt 3/55); Bellville Technical High School 84 (Cameron de la Cruz 30; Aarin Barends 4/10, Mondré Julies 4/26). Tygerberg High won by 125 runs.
1 February
Hoërskool Durbanville 164/6 (Tobias Roelofse 44*, André Neethling 27, Jan Kriel 24, Extras 21; Jameel Ismail 2/24); Parel Vallei 168/6 (Christopher Hughes 65, Sevi Barlow 29, Extras 25; Hugo Bredell 2/21, Xander van Aarde 2/34). Parel Vallei won by four wickets.
