It’s raining runs in the Titans League
Seeing runs flow early in the season makes one very excited about what the schools’ cricket season has in store for the remainder of 2024.
Relive all the action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
On Sunday, Hoërskool Garsfontein kicked off their Titans League challenge with a hugely impressive victory over Prestige College in Hammanskraal.
The Ysbere powered their way to a mammoth 296/6 in their 50 overs. What made their effort impressive, however, was the fact that the side from Pretoria didn’t register a century, which meant all of their batsmen contributed significantly.
Charl van Staden led the way. Batting at five, he played a nicely paced, mature innings, finishing with 83 runs from just 78 deliveries, which included smashing seven fours and two sixes. Righardt Joubert provided strong support, making an unbeaten 48 runs in a 113-run partnership between the pair.
Their success would not have been possible, however, without Ettienne du Toit, who laid a sound platform for Garsfontein with an innings of 61 runs, which came from only 54 balls. He, too, found the boundary regularly, blasting six fours and two sixes.
Then, Eckardt Struwig capped off a wonderful all-round performance from the Ysbere with a superb bowling performance. He benefitted from a good foundation, which was laid by the Garsies’ opening bowlers, Stefan van Staden (3/26) and Nayleo Sanna (2/25), who shared five wickets between them. Struwig captured the remaining five wickets for only 12 runs and, for good measure, also claimed a hattrick as Garsfontein cruised to an emphatic 207-run victory.
Hoërskool Waterkloof passed their first big test in the league with flying colours. The Klofies put in an impressive shift with the willow to beat their old rivals, Hoërskool Menlopark, by seven wickets.
This time around it was Marcus Bakker‘s turn to take charge. The all-rounder’s experience shone through as he expertly made his way to an unbeaten 106 runs from 100 balls.
Rico van der Walt ensured the scoreboard kept ticking, contributing 55 runs in a 101-run partnership with Bakker. Riley Miller then wasted no time in seeing Waterkloof to victory as he smashed five sixes in an unbeaten 46.
With Menlopark winning the toss and electing to bat first, it came as no surprise that SA u19 opening batsman, Steve Stolk, led the way for visitors. He looked dangerous, cracking 63 runs from just 40 balls, which included seven fours and four sixes.
Matt van der Westhuizen (42) and Morné Koekemoer (40) provided good support as the Parkies’ put up a decent first innings score. Unfortunately for them, though, it wasn’t enough to faze the extremely experienced and classy Klofie lineup, which chased down the 251 they required for victory in the 39th over.
Summarised scorecards:
Garsfontein 296/6 (Charl van Staden 83, Ettienne du Toit 61, Righardt Joubert 48*, Extras 29, Wikus du Preez 27, Jared Carr 26; Koketso Jonas 2/57). Prestige College 89 (Thabang Kutumela 26, Keamogetswe Semenya 20; Eckard Struwig 5/12, Stefan van Staden 3/26, Nayleo Sanna 2/25). Garsfontein won by 207 runs.
Menlopark 251 (Steve Stolk 63, Matt van der Westhuizen 42, Morné Koekemoer 40, Extras 28; Marcus Bakker 3/31, Marno Pienaar 3/54, Wian Ruthven 2/31). Waterkloof 256/3 (Marcus Bakker 106*, Rico van der Walt 55, Riley Miller 46*, Divan Behrens 26; Dian van Zyl 1/25). Waterkloof won by seven wickets.
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