Grey pip Hilton in thriller, Michaelhouse and College bag impressive wins
Wet conditions at the start of what is expected to be a thrilling 2025 Oppenheimer Michaelmas Week saw the encounters on day one live up to expectations.
The most exhilarating was a low-scoring thriller between Hilton College and Grey College from Bloemfontein, at the home of Hilton Cricket, the Hart-Davis Oval. Having won the toss, the hosts elected to field first, hoping to use the conditions and make early inroads.
They did so, too, with Christian Kind the first to depart after he had top-scored for the visitors from Bloemfontein. Kind accumulated 37 runs before his innings of 31 balls came to an end in the ninth over. From thereon, the going was slow and tough.
Hilton’s Obakeng Motsepa led the way with the ball, snapping up 3/20 in the five overs he bowled. From the other end, Luke Campbell (2/32) and Jayden Roux (2/35) provided the necessary support to restrict Grey College to a meagre 147 all out.
The drama and good bowling, however, weren’t over yet. Otto Krause proved to be an absolute nightmare to face on the day, dispatching Hilton’s Ben Hockly for five in only the third over. Krause picked up another two wickets to eventually tip his cap with figures of 3/46.
Fellow opening bowler, Sicelo Matayi, was even more impressive, completing his allotted 10 overs with 3/38 as Grey’s pick of the bowlers, while Bergh Vorster managed 2/19.
As a result, only Jayden Roux (28) and Luke Campbell (27) made it past the 25-run mark for Hilton, and the home side were eventually bowled out for just 145, losing by an agonising two runs.
Maritzburg College got one back for the KZN locals as they thumped Pretoria Boys High by 128 runs. Karl Dedekind showed wonderful prowess and knowledge of his home conditions, scoring a match-defining 74 runs. Kyle de Bruyn wasn’t far behind with an equally impressive 57, as part of a 101-run opening stand with Daniel Nadasan (28). This enabled College to notch an impressive total of 277.
Boys High stalwart, Justin Basdeo, was again a standout for the side from the Jacaranda City. His 3/47 was the highlight of his performance, followed by 22 with the bat, his side’s second-highest score on the day. Ethan Nel was the best Boys High batter, falling just two runs short of a well-deserved half-century.
Nadasan continued to be a pebble in the shoe of the visitors, backing up his batting with 3/6. Samuel Huges (2/26) and Nathan Pembridge (2/26) combined to deliver the final blow as Boys High could only reach 149.
Michaelhouse saw off Pretoria powerhouse Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool by 51 runs in a shortened fixture. Rex Wardlaw led the charge with an invaluable 48 runs, as both sides had only 25 overs to bat. This was followed by cameos from Ethan Muir (22) and Ben Heuer (22), who took them to 128/6 in the allotted 25 overs. The Michaelhouse bowlers, realising that it might be a small score to defend, stepped up to the plate. Heuer got in on the action again with 2/11, followed by Rendani Nonge (2/12).
Affies had no answers to the numerous questions asked, slumping to a disappointing 77 all out.
Summarised scorecards
Grey College 147 (Cristian Kind 37, River Scott 20; Obakeng Motsepa 3/20, Luke Campbell 2/32, Jayden Roux 2/35); Hilton College 145 (Jayden Roux 28, Luke Campbell 27, David Hill 23; Otto Krause 3/46, Sicelo Matayi, Bergh Vorster 2/19). Grey College won by two runs
Maritzburg College 277 (Karl Dedekind 74, Kyle de Bruyn 57, Extras 31, Sphamandla Dzanibe 29, Daniel Nadasan 28; Justin Basdeo 3/47, Jaydon Knott-Craig 3/53); Pretoria Boys High 149 (Ethan Nel 48, Justin Basdeo 22, Dylan Kruger 21; Daniel Nadasan 3/6, Samuel Hughes 2/26, Nathan Pembridge 2/41). Maritzburg College won by 128 runs.
Michaelhouse 128/6 (25) (Rex Wardlaw 48, Ethan Muir 22, Ben Heuer 22; Petrus Rautenbach 2/28); Affies 77 (JP Botha 25; Ben Heuer 2/11, Rendani Nonge 2/12, Liam O’Dwyer 2/22). Michaelhouse won by 51 runs.
