Defending champions St Andrews had a day of mixed emotions
The defending champions of the Coca-Cola T20 Schools Challenge, St Andrews of Bloemfontein, experienced a day of mixed emotions during the opening day of their title defence in Pretoria.
One gut-wrenching defeat against St Stithians College, just to recover with a thrashing of Hudson Park by 130 runs in their second match.
St Andrews was in trouble early on during their innings in their opening match during the finals tournament against St Stithians College of Johannesburg. The team from the City of Gold reached 149/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Contributions by Cameron Rowe (35), Jodi de Sousa (33) and Liam Mostert (29) with the bat playing a major role in posting a competitive total.
St Andrews was under pressure managing to score only 27 runs by the time their fifth wicket fell. They managed to reach 93/9, in the end, thanks to Reeza Alexander (33). The main destroyer for St Stithians was Matthew Lieberman (3/12). He received good support from Thomas Winter (2/17) and Tristan Brooks (2/20).
St Andrews went on to smash Hudson Park of East London by 130 runs in their second round match to keep their hopes alive to defend their title.
St Stithians College and St Charles College of Pietermaritzburg are the only two unbeaten sides left after the opening day. Saints had to sweat against Paarl Gimnasium after the result was determined only after a super overs.
St Charles College defeated St Andrew’s College of Grahamstown in their opening match by 17 runs. They’ve also defeated Waterkloof by 16 runs during the second round.
Summarised Scorecards:
Round 1
St Stithians College 149/8 (Cameron Rowe 35, Jodi de Sousa 33, Liam Mostert 29; Ruan Cronjé 2/20); St Andrews (Bloem) 93/9 (Reeza Alexander 33; Matthew Lieberman 3/12, Thomas Winter 2/17, Tristan Brooks 2/20). St Stithians College won by 46 runs.
Hudson Park 105/9 (Kwakhanya Gcweka 24, Blake Diedericks 23; Eddie Visser 2/12, Juan Wilson 2/20); Paarl Gimnasium 106/3 (Jandré Burger 52, Johan Smal 28*). Paarl Gimnasium won by seven wickets.
Queen’s High 124/5 (Nkanyiso Mkhize 28, Simo Potelwa 26*, Nhlanhla Ntleko 26; Ngwako Bopape 2/16); Waterkloof 125/4 (Jordan Hermann 48*, SW Kemp 35). Waterkloof won by six wickets.
St Charles College 170/6 (Jason Login 53, James Twycross 38; Ryan Ford 3/30); St Andrew’s College 153/8 (Callum Francis 45, Nicholas Barlow 27; Clive Madande 3/33). St Charles College won by 17 runs.
Round 2
St Stithians College 151/4 (Cameron Rowe 74; Bradley Davids 2/24); Paarl Gimnasium 151/7 (Floors Brand 43, Benjamin Calitz 38, Johan Smal 23; Thomas Winter 2/37). Match Drawn – St Stithians College won after Super Over.
St Andrews (Bloem) 226/4 (Ruan Cronjé 72, Henré Koekemoer 63, Rikus Allen 57; Odunuga Damilola 2/21); Hudson Park 96/7 (Odunuga Damilola 30*; Ruan Cronjé 2/13, Pheko Moletsane 2/15). St Andrews won by 130 runs.
St Charles College 141/6 (James Twycross 61, Jason Login 34; Richardt Ackermann 2/15, Hardus Coetzer 2/21); Waterkloof 125 (Jordan Hermann 24, Richardt Ackermann 24; Wesley Madhevere 3/32, Cameron Spangenberg 2/18, Clive Madande 2/24). St Charles College won by 16 runs.
St Andrew’s College 111/7 (Matthew Schaefer 42, James Mullins 22; Amogelang Sima 3/15, Lucky Ntleko 2/11); Queen’s High 112/4 (Simo Potelwa 31*, Amogelang Sima 21*; Guy Rushmere 3/17). Queen’s High won by six wickets.
