De Lange’s ton powers Cornwall to third win on the trot at Michaelmas
That’s three in a row for Cornwall Hill College.
Following a three-wicket defeat on the first day at the hands of the CSA Hub Invitational XI, Deon Kruis’ Cornwall Hill side went unbeaten in their remaining three matches of the 2025 Oppenheimer Michaelmas Week.
The lads from Irene achieved the hat-trick against Hudson Park courtesy of a T20 run-fest dished up by all-rounder Rourke de Lange. De Lange enjoyed some serious fun with an unbeaten knock of 101 runs from just 58 deliveries, without hitting any sixes. He did, however, smash 16 fours and only faced 15 dot balls.
It was a crucial recovery after De Lange had lost his opening partner, Keegan van Wyk, to the bowling of Lukhanyo Hlatuka (1/36) with the very first ball of the innings. De Lange and captain, Ab Rasool (34), stuck together for an 81-run partnership, with Khumo Kgagodi later joining with 28 runs in a 78-run partnership, also with De Lange.
Cornwall thus posed a challenging task for Hudson Park, who needed 195 to win. De Lange swapped the bat for the ball and again tormented the opposition.
Although Cornwall could not bowl out Hudson Park, De Lange’s figures of 2/13 in four overs helped to restrict the opposition to 115/6 in the allotted 20 overs. Seventy-six of Hudson Park’s runs came off the bat of opening batsman, Imainathi Sam, who also carried his bat through the innings.
Kearsney College‘s in-form Aaron Blackburn and Keegan de Jager handled the majority of the chase to taste victory over St Alban’s College, who blew hot and cold throughout the week. Liam Basch, however, was sizzling hot again with an unbeaten 76 to make up most of St Alban’s 129/7 in the allotted 20 overs.
Blackburn answered with 54, while De Jager contributed 36 in support. Luke Ward fought hard with the ball but couldn’t stop Kearsney from reaching the total with two balls to spare.
The CSA Hub Invitational side also finished on a high note. Returning to winning ways after two consecutive defeats, they overcame Clifton by a nail-biting three wickets in a low-scoring thriller.
As the scores of 110 and 111/7 suggest, it was a match dominated by the bowlers. Lona Pitoli (2/12), Awomke Mngini (2/17), and Taywin Adams (2/19) led the attack, resulting in Clifton’s miserly 110 all out in the final over.
Shiraz Perumal (2/22) and Blake Johnson (2/30) responded as the CSA Hub innings went much the same way. Although Daveric Petersen top-scored with only 23 runs, the CSA Hub side had more contributions, ultimately leading to them capping off the week with two victories and two defeats.
Summarised scorecards
Cornwall Hill College 194/4 (Rourke de Lange 101*, Ab Rasool 34, Khumo Kgagodi 28, Extras 20*; Liam Bekker 2/31); Hudson Park 115/6 (Iminathi Sam 76*; Rourke de Lange 2/13). Cornwall Hill College won by 79 runs.
St Alban’s College 129/7 (Liam Basch 76*; Blake Pugh 1/9); Kearsney College 130/5 (Aaron Blackburn 54, Keegan de Jager 36; Luke Ward 3/17)/ Kearsney College won by five wickets.
Clifton 110 (Cohen Naidoo 25; Lona Pitoli 2/12, Awonke Mngini 2/17, Taywin Adams 2/19); CSA Hub Initational XI 111/7 (Daveric Petersen 23; Shiraz Perumal 2/22, Blake Johnson 2/30). CSA Hub Invitational XI won by three wickets.
