Grey’s Maree concludes Michaelmas with a batting extravaganza
In one of the biggest matchups on the final day of the Oppenheimer Michaelmas Week, Grey College, and more specifically Juan Maree, concluded four tough days of cricket with some batting fun in a win over Durban High School (DHS).
The final day promised exciting T20 cricket as the event drew to a close and Maree flourished in the abbreviated format. He punished DHS’s decision to bowl first, in the match played at Michaelhouse’s Hannahs Oval.
Despite his opening partner, Christian Kind (9), departing early, Maree stepped on the gas and never relented. Striking at a rapid pace, he quickly took the game by the scruff of the neck, and, by the end of Grey’s 20 overs, he was on 100 not out off of only 58 balls. His innings had included nine fours and five sixes.
Daniel Hattingh and Aiden Dodd, two of Grey’s most consistent performers during the Michaelmas Week, once again made useful contributions. Hattingh weighed in with a quickfire 37, while Dodd also didn’t hang around for his 26, which helped the Bloemfontein boys to a healthy 210/5.
Despite that big total, Grey was made to work hard for victory, which eventually came by 32 runs. The Horseflies, a top quality T20 outfit, fought hard to chase down the big total. Ismaeel Omar led their run chase, scoring 61 from only 36 deliveries, while his fellow opener, Ethan Cooper, fell just short of a half-century when he was dismissed for 47.
Sicelo Matayi’s bowling proved to be the difference between the sides. He made good use of the new ball to pick up 3/32. Bergh Vorster, another player who had made his mark in Grey College’s previous matches, was again among the wickets, bagging 2/16, while Bernard Saaiman delivered the final blow and finished with 2/18.
At UKZN, Northwood‘s Kyle White had a day to remember as he led his side to a 10-run victory over St Stithians College, who had scored tight victories in their previous three matches.
The Hanslo brothers shared seven wickets between them, with Tasheen claiming 4/27 and Zaakir 3/18, but White withstood the pressure to score what turned out to be a match-winning 54 in Northwood’s 153 all out.
His heroics didn’t end with his batting, though. The Northwood captain removed St Stithians’ two highest run scorers, getting rid of Ombesa Matsha for 55, and Nicholas Bayly for 32. After their departures, no other Saints‘ batsmen got going and the Johannesburg side was limited to 143/8 in their 20 overs.
Hoërskool Waterkloof enjoyed a smooth ride, cruising to a nine-wicket win over Paul Roos Gimnasium at the Beaumont Eston Farmers Club. Ricardo Crous snapped up 3/12 and AJ de Villiers 3/16 as the Stellenbosch boys were bundled out for a meagre 85.
Rico van der Walt, fresh off a century on Monday, made light work of the chase, striking an unbeaten 44, while De Villiers chipped in with 29.
In a closely contested clash, Westville Boys’ High overcame the other Pretoria powerhouse, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, by one wicket at the MP Oval, in Woodlands. That win owed a lot to their captain, Seth Simpson, whose excellent run of form continued with his side’s top score of 45.
Tristin Delvin also deserves a special mention for his valuable 36, which helped Westville reach the victory target of 139.
Earlier, Affies had posed 138/7, led by Ruben Groenewald‘s 45, while Adriaan Nel contributed 30, and Christiaan Linde 26.
Zian Labuschagne was the pick of the Affies’ bowlers, knocking over 3/35, and he was well supported by Petrus Rautenbach, who returned 2/10, while Nico Loggenberg claimed 2/28. It was, however, not quite enough.
Summarised scorecards
Grey College 210/5 (Juan Maree 100*, Daniel Hattingh 37, Aiden Dodd 26; Josh Morley 2/40); Durban High School 178/9 (Ismaeel Omar 61, Ethan Cooper 47; Sicelo Matayi 3/32, Bergh Vorster 2/16, Bernard Saaiman 2/18). Grey College won by 32 runs.
Northwood 153/10 (Kyle White 54, Ben Cilliers 22, Jamie Wimble 21; Tasheen Hanslo 4/27, Zaakir Hanslo 3/18); St Stithians College 143/8 (Ombesa Matsha 55, Nicholas Bayly 32; Kyle White 3/22, Ryan van Zyl 3/23). Northwood won by 10 runs.
Paul Roos Gimnasium 85 /10 (Dion Slabber 21, Luca Plekker 20; Ricardo Crous 3/12, AJ de Villiers 3/16); Waterkloof 91/1 (Rico van der Walt 44*, AJ de Villiers 29; Nathan van den Bergh 1/17). Waterkloof won by nine wickets.
Affies 138/7 (Ruben Groenewald 45, Adriaan Nel 30, Christiaan Linde 26; Shaun McGough 3/20); Westville Boys’ High 139/9 (Seth Simpson 45, Tristin Delvin 36; Zian Labuschagne 3/35, Petrus Rautenbach 2/10, Nico Loggenberg 2/28). Westville Boys’ High won by one wicket.
