Clifton overwhelms Umlazi Comtech, Umlazi Hub wins at Toti
Umlazi Comtech High visited the Riverside Sports Club for a Wednesday clash with Clifton College in the Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two and their decision to field first paid early dividends, with both Clifton openers, Yusuf Ahmed (14) and Matthias Samuel (10) out within the first seven overs.
Muhammed Malek and Hayden Drieselmann, however, ended any momentum that the visitors had built up, combining for a 129-run third-wicket partnership in only 9.3 overs.
Drieselmann led the charge, bashing nine fours and two sixes in his 74 from only 34 balls, while Malek, who retired after hitting 58 from 31, was not far behind his partner’s high rate of scoring.
The last four overs brought Clifton another 49 runs, with Shiraz Perumal plundering an unbeaten 26 off 13 and Declan Shaw chipping in with 21 not out from 12 as Clifton tallied 218/3.
It was a tough outing for the Umlazi Comtech bowlers, with Olwethu Makhathini returning 1/34 in three and Owethu Mbambo picking up 1/45 in four.
Unfortunately for Umlazi Comtech, they found Clifton’s bowling to be as much of a difficult challenge as the home team’s batting. They lasted only 15.4 overs and were bowled out for 55, with their last seven wickets going down for only four runs.
Muhammed Malek finished them off, with 2/0 from four balls, while Caleb Naicker picked up 2/9, Hayden Drieselmann 1/1, Shiraz Perumal and Daniel Rea 1/2 each, and Blake Johnson 1/8.
Fanele Mpisani resisted well, hitting two fours in his 20 from 24 balls, but, besides him, only opener Lwandle Mbguni, who made 14, reached double figures as Clifton cruised to a 163-run win.
Amazimtoti High vs Umlazi Hub
At Amanzimtoti High, the visitors, Umlazi Hub, scored a six-wicket victory with four overs to spare.
Toti chose to bat first and put up a useful looking 138/5, led by Tahir Shaik‘s unbeaten 60 off 43 balls, which featured 12 fours.
Axel Nel weighed in with a rapid 21, but the innings was all about Shaik, who shared in a 57-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Keegan Killmartin, whose contribution was a painstaking two off 32 balls.
Opening bowler Sibani Dlamini set the tone for the Umlazi Hub with a return of 2/19 from four overs.
The visitors lost two wickets within the first five overs of their run chase, but Thabiso Ndlovu and Owami Dladla then took the game away from Amanzimtoti High with an 80-run third-wicket partnership in only eight overs.
Dladla was the aggressor and went on to an unbeaten 51 from 30 balls, with five fours and two sixes, while Ndlovu made a measured 23 from 39.
Unathi Ngcobo, then, hit a quick 23 not out from 15 to see the Hub to victory with Dladla.
Arnav Needhi claimed 2/32 for Toti, but they were let down by 17 wides as extras added 25 runs to the Hub’s total.
Summarised scorecards
Clifton College 218/3 (Hayden Drieselmann 74, Muhammed Malek 58*, Shiraz Perumal 26*, Declan Shaw 21*); Umlazi Comtech High 55/10 (Fanele Mpisani 20; Muhammed Malek 2/0, Caleb Naicker 2/9). Clifton College won by 163 runs.
Amanzimtoti High 138/5 (Tahir Shaik 60*, Axel Nel 21; Sibani Dlamini 2/19); Umlazi Hub 140/4 (Owami Dladla 51*, Extras 25, Unathi Ngcobo 23*, Thabiso Ndlovu 23; Arnav Needhi 2/32). Umlazi Hub won by six wickets.
