Denston dismantles Cambridge with eight-wicket haul
In a remarkable display of leadership and skill, Queen’s College‘s first team captain, Ryan Denston, steered his side to a resounding victory over Cambridge High School on the weekend.
Denston’s performance was nothing short of exceptional, as he scalped eight batsmen, executed a crucial catch, and conceded a mere 15 runs, to help secure a memorable win for his team.
Denston’s bowling form bodes well for the exciting young talent as he prepares to take part in the final SA u19 selection camp this weekend. If he can maintain this level of performance, it will be hard for the SA selectors to ignore him.
On Saturday, Cambridge won the toss and elected to take to the middle first, hoping for a solid innings to put pressure on their Border rivals.
While their openers did their job well, surviving the initial Queen’s College bowling attack for the first 14 overs, Denston helped with the first dismissal, catching Alizwa Cekiso off a delivery by his teammate, Kholosa Klaas.
Following Klaas’s over, Denston took up the charge himself, striking down his first victim with the second delivery of his very first over.
Aqhama Mdlulwa showed some intent for Cambridge, hitting the only two sixes of the match, and Caleb Shaup defended well, but Denston’s accuracy meant his side ended the Cambridge innings nearly 20 overs shy of their allotment, leaving Queen’s needing only 97 runs for victory.
Shaup then fought spiritedly for Cambridge, capturing a wicket in the first over of the Queen’s reply, before also dismissing Lukan Hyke, Queen’s College’s top scorer, for 31.
Beaneo Maytham and Akho Ngesi did well to see out the game, though, taking their team to the 97 required in only 17 overs.
The Queenstown boys will seek to continue their momentum this coming weekend when they face Selborne in their final fixture of the year.
Summarised scorecard:
Cambridge High School 96 (Extras 26, Sange Sakuda 25; Ryan Denston 8/15); Queen’s College 97/2 (Lukan Hyke 31, Beaneo Maytham 24*, Akho Ngesi 21*; Caleb Shaup 2/23). Queen’s College won by eight wickets.
