Garsfontein claims last semi-final spot in Titans’ Schools SA20
Hoërskool Garsfontein performed well at home and beat Midstream College on Wednesday to become the fourth and final team to qualify for the semi-finals of the Titans’ leg of the Schools SA20 competition.
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The Garsie batsmen, led by the talented Charl van Staden, laid a solid foundation. They batted briskly but lost four early wickets. Then, Van Staden came to the crease and he upped the ante.
In just 26 deliveries, the middle-order batsman smashed seven boundaries, including four sixes and three fours, to see the Ysbere through to the end of their 20 overs with an unbeaten 50 runs.
Ziswe Khumalo provided strong support, joining in on the onslaught and contributing 29 runs from only 15 balls. Opening batsman, Heinrich Badenhorst was the initial thorn in Midstream’s side with a classy 36, which set things up nicely for Van Staden and Khumalo to get the Ysbere to 201/7.
Christiaan Olwagen (2/24) and Jonathan Wiseman (2/39) were the standouts with the ball for the visitors, removing two batsmen each.
It came as no surprise when Echard Struwig led the way for Garsfontein’s bowling attack. Sending down two overs with the new ball, he struck early, snapping up two wickets while conceding only three runs. His new ball partner, Xander Venter, was impressive, too, assisting Struwig in the destruction of the Midstream top-order with his return of 2/15.
Ryan Strauss (23) and Gerhard van der Westhuizen (22) steadied the ship, but Ziswe Khumalo followed up his useful batting contribution with a good bowling spell. He dismissed Strauss and went on to claim 2/24.
Midstream’s Zack Lentoor didn’t go down without a fight and fought fire with fire, unleashing a flurry of boundaries, five of which flew over the boundary rope, as he contributed a quickfire 41 from just 17 balls. His innings was, however, Midstream College’s last dance, and the visitors were kept to 156/9 from their 20 overs, which left them 45 runs short of victory.
Summarised scorecard
Garsfontein 201/7 (Charl van Staden 50*, Heinrich Badenhorst 36, Ziswe Khumalo 29; Christiaan Olwagen 2/24, Jonathan Wiseman 2/39); Midstream College 156/9 (Zack Lentoor 41, Rikus Cilliers 32, Ryan Struass 23, Gerhard van der Westhuizen 22; Echard Struwig 2/3, Xander Venter 2/15, Ziswe Khumalo 2/24). Garsfontein won by 45 runs.
