Graeme College elated with unbeaten streak at Pearson Festival
Graeme College returned to Templeton Drive, in Makhanda, a happy team after scoring four wins in four outings at the annual Pearson Festival that took place in Gqeberha, from 11 to 14 September.
“The team was flawless, dominating every match they played. They showcased exceptional skill, discipline, consistency, and teamwork in all departments,” Odwa Xonxa, the Graeme College coach, told SuperSport Schools Plus.
Facing Cambridge High in their first match, Graeme batted first and put 140/6 on the board. On a difficult surface, Luphelo Mdyesha and Enrique Strydom, both with 26, and Andrew Muir, with 25, did well.
The Graeme College bowling attack then made good use of the pitch as they bundled Cambridge out for only 70 runs to secure a comfortable victory. Mdyesha led the bowlers with 3/15, while Caleb Jatiem gave almost nothing away and finished with 2/4.
In their next outing, against Parel Vallei, Mdyesha led the way with the bat, contributing a well-played 50. He was well supported by Corbin Tidbury, who weighed in with 47, which helped Graeme to 133/5 in their 20 overs.
When Parel Vallei batted, Siba Deliwe took more wickets than runs conceded, finishing with 2/1 in Graeme’s emphatic 47-run win.
“The team showed a lot of maturity, with different guys putting their hands up and performing on different occasions,” Xonxa said. “The unbeaten run is a testament to the boys’ hard work, dedication, and team cohesion.”
Graeme chose to send a young side to the festival, and, despite their youth, the Makhanda school’s players showed that they were up to the task. Fifteen-year-old Caleb Jatiem unleashed his pace on Stirling and bagged a five-wicket haul, capturing 5/24 in 7.2 overs as Graeme bundled out their East London opposition for only 89 runs in their 40-over fixture.
Stirling fought hard and picked up five wickets when Graeme batted, but they had too few runs to defend.
In addition to bowling his side to a comprehensive triumph, Caleb Jatiem was also part of a history-making team selection, as Xonxa elaborated.
“The team had two sets of brothers: Caleb Jatiem and Keagan Jatiem, and Andrew Muir and James Muir. This is the first time we have had two sets of brothers since 2007 when the Smuts and Van Der Muelen siblings played in the 1st XI,” he said.
Enrique Strydom and Kits McConnachie took control of Graeme’s final match against a Wynberg Invitational side. They produced stellar all-round performances, sharing seven wickets between them as the Invitational team was bowled out for 161 in the 46th over of their 50-over game.
In only four overs, Strydom ran rampant, knocking over 5/17, while McConnachie picked up 2/14 in eight overs.
The pair then recorded identical scores, each weighing in with 51 runs, to catapult Graeme College to 162/3 in 31 overs.
Strydom was the more measured of the pair, scoring his 51 from 81 balls, while McConnachie was more destructive, requiring only 45 deliveries for his 51.
“Each and every player contributed, whether on the field or off, showcasing unity and mutual support. We are very proud of the boys.
“Everyone stepped up, and it was a total team effort from start to finish, and going undefeated speaks volumes about the commitment and focus of this young team,” Xonxa declared.
