Graeme College and Grey High romp to comfortable victories
Luphelo Mdyesha and Corbin Tidbury’s unbeaten half-centuries helped Graeme College claim local bragging rights and a seven-wicket win over St Andrew’s College, in Makhanda, on Saturday.
Meanwhile, half-centuries from Teun Kloppenberg and Connor Parry set up Grey High for a comfortable 80-run victory over Kingswood College at City Lords.
Graeme College vs St Andrew’s College
When the toss went Andrew Muir’s way, the Graeme College captain chose to bowl first. That proved to be a good decision.
After a solid start, the St Andrew’s innings lost momentum and spluttered to 172 all out from 47 overs. The hosts made light work of chasing down the middling target, charging to 178/3 and victory in only 27.4 overs.
The St Andrew’s College innings began well, with Rhys Wiblin, who went on to top-score with 81, and William Beamish, who made 42, providing a sound 75-run opening stand. College, though, failed to capitalise on that strong foundation.
They lost their way when Ajay Jeggels struck twice in the 20th over to dismiss Beamish and Keegan Borst in the space of three deliveries. The visitors, then, mustered a promising partnership between Wiblin and Ben Scharges, but it was ended before it could come to full fruition after the pair had added 30 runs.
Scharges contributed a patient 12 from 28 balls, but he was the last St Andrew’s batsman to reach double figures. Wiblin was forced to watch on helplessly at a procession of wickets going down at the other end. and when College’s innings came to a close for 172, he was unbeaten, having defied Graeme for 117 balls.
Five bowlers picked up two wickets each. The aforementioned Ajay Jeggels took 2/26, Corbin Tidbury snapped up 2/10, Lisekho Zinyane 2/29, and Luphelo Mdyesha 2/41.
The home side’s reply began unconvincingly. After 11.2 overs, they were on 53/3, with the match ready to lean in favour of the team that seized the initiative from that point. It was Graeme who took charge.
Mdyesha and Tidbury joined forces in the middle and proceeded to bat St Andrew’s out of the contest. Playing responsibly, they stitched together an unbroken match-winning 121-run fourth-wicket partnership that piloted the hosts to an impressive win.
Mdyesha hit out with controlled aggression, on his way to Graeme’s top score of 72 not out from 53 deliveries, which included 10 fours and three sixes. Tidbury proved to be a dependable partner, finishing unbeaten on a fine 55 from 57 balls.
Kingswood College vs Grey High
James Upton, the Grey High captain, called correctly at the toss and tasked his batsman with providing a match-winning total when they visited Kingswood College.
The Gqeberha school’s batsmen responded well, tallying 272/9 from their 50 overs. That proved to be more than enough as Kingswood struggled to mount a challenge. After 47.4 overs, they were dismissed for 192.
Upton made 17 as he and Cullen Marais opened with a 49-run stand for the first wicket. The visitors suffered a slight stutter, however, when Marais joined his skipper back in the change room a short while after their partnership was broken.
Soon, though, Grey was back on track and flourishing, thanks to a superb 126-run third-wicket partnership between Connor Parry, who made 68, and Teun Kloppenberg, who weighed in with 79. Their stand took the game away from Kingswood.
It came to an end in the 37th over when David Loudon dismantled Parry’s stumps. Six overs later, Sinawo Bukula dismissed Kloppenberg.
That was the second of Bukula’s superb haul of five wickets, which came off of nine overs and cost him 42 runs. Despite his outstanding effort, Grey High was still able to post a challenging total.
Kingswood’s run chase did not go smoothly, with Grey High showing a penchant for taking wickets at regular intervals, which denied the hosts any momentum. Five of their batsmen – Daniel Jakins, Josh Loon, Chris Zimmerman, Patrick Mouton, and Rogan Goliath – made starts but failed to kick on, with all five being dismissed in the twenties.
Teun Kloppenberg, Grey’s top scorer, was also one of his side’s most successful bowlers, snagging 3/38 from 10 overs. Matthew Tinley was equally effective, claimed 3/34 from 8.4 overs.
Summarised Scorecards
St Andrew’s College 172/10 (Rhys Wiblin 81, William Beamish 42; Ajay Jegels 2/26, Lisekho Zinyane 2/29, Luphelo Mdyesha 2/41, Corbin Tidbury 2/10). Graeme College 178/3 (Luphelo Mdyesha 72, Corbin Tidbury 55; William Stevens – 2/46, William Beamish – 1/15). Graeme College won by seven wickets.
Grey High School 272/9 (Teun Kloppenberg 79, Connor Perry 68, Cullen Marais 36; Sinawo Bukula 5/42, Imi Ngcese 1/25, Josh Loon 1/44). Kingswood College 192/10 (Rogan Goliath 26, Chris Zimmerman 25, Josh Loon 24; Matthew Tinley 3/34, Teun Kloppenberg 3/38, Logan Groch 2 /38). Grey High won by 80 runs.
