Garsfontein, Affies still unbeaten heading into Benoni Schools SA20 semis
Hoërskool Garsfontein‘s Ysbere and Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies) remain the favourites to face off in the final of the Schools SA20 regional playoffs at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.
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Both sides head into their semi-finals with their records still unblemished after their third and final pool games on Saturday morning.
The Ysbere were made to work hard by a spirited St Benedict’s College team. After posting only 107/7, which owed much to an important 31 from Edward Smith and 21 from the bat of Clayton Horlick, Bennies knew they had to come out firing with the ball and they did just that.
Garsfontein lost three wickets in the powerplay and were somewhat wobbly on 44/3, but Xander Venter came to their rescue. He’d delivered a superb bowling performance, capturing 3/22 from four overs. Then, he let his bat do the talking.
In his 100th 1st XI match, and his 56th as captain, he played a knock of 21, which might not have looked like much in the scorebook. In reality, though, it was enough to steer his side to a four-wicket victory and a place in the final four.
The match between Affies and Merensky Landbou Akademie was cut short due to inclement weather, but the Pretoria powerhouse remained on track with another win.
Vihan Pretorius finally came good with the bat, taking only 37 deliveries to hit an unbeaten 55 runs, which included six fours and two sixes.
Opening batsmen Ethan Williams (24) and JP Botha (21) laid a solid foundation with a 45-run partnership, while Daniel Murray played his part with 22 runs towards the end of the innings, which helped Affies to a big total of 171/6 from their 20 overs.
The experience of Plasies‘ spin bowler, Timothy Baker, shone through. He did most of the damage for the Limpopo side, claiming two wickets for 37 runs.
Merensky enjoyed a solid start to their run chase, with their openers, Bernard Wandrag (25) and Rinaldo Bornman (21), doing a good job at the top of the order. Timely wickets by Nico Loggerenberg (2/12) and SF Vermeulen (2/14), however, halted the flow of runs.
When the game was stopped, Merensky had reached 68/4, which left them 55 runs short of the Duckworth-Lewis and Stern par score they required.
A thumping eight-wicket victory over Phalaborwa Hub secured Hoërskool Kempton Park a semi-final place, too. The Kempies‘ pacemen, led by Stian van Breda (3/12), were exceptional. Only Rivoningo Chauke (24*) made it out of the teens as the Phalaborwa Hub limped to only 77/8 from their 20.
Wian Pieters (31*) and captain Marko Richter (28*) made light work of the chase. Pursuing a moderate total, they took their time, applied themselves, and saw their team to victory in the 15th over.
Summarised scorecards
St Benedict’s College 107/7 (Edward Smith 31, Clayton Horlick 21, Marco Mendes 20; Xander Venter 3/22) Garsfontein 108/6 (Xander Venter 21, Charl van Staden 20; Edward Smith 2/19, Mark Munava 2/19). Garsfontein won by four wickets.
Affies 171/6 (Vihan Pretorius 55*, Ethan Williams 24, Daniel Murray 22, JP Botha 21; Timothy Baker 2/37); Merensky 68/4 (Bernard Wandrag 25, Rinaldo Bornman 21; Nico Loggerenberg 2/12, SF Vermeulen 2/14). Affies win by 55 runs on DLS method
Phalaborwa Hub 77/8 (Rivoningo Chauke 24*; Stian van Breda 3/12); Hoerskool Kempton Park 82/2 (Wian Pieters 31*, Marko Richter 28*; Ripfumelo Mabunda 1/16). Hoerskool Kempton Park won by eight wickets.
Semi-Finals
Affies vs St Benedict’s College – Willowmoore Park Oval
Garsfontein vs Hoerskool Kempton Park – Willowmoore Park B
