SuperSport Schools Plus

Johnny Waite race heats up as teams prepare for quarterfinals


Noordheuwel's Gomolemo Sibi. Photo: Donald Dinake.
Noordheuwel’s Gomolemo Sibi. Photo: Donald Dinake.

St John’s College, Helpmekaar, and Noordheuwel registered victories on Wednesday as the race for the 2024/25 Johnny Waite Trophy intensified.

The tournament is hurtling towards the knockout stages with most of the sides in the round-robin phase left with only two matches before the quarterfinals.

Anrich Liebenberg’s brilliant half-century lifted Helpmekaar to 147/7 and was pivotal in his side’s two-run win over St Stithians College in a thriller.

Saints put together a commendable run pursuit, but came up just short, finishing on 145/4.

Liebenberg was at the crease for 8.1 overs for his vital 59 off 32 deliveries, during which he clubbed seven fours and three sixes to set his side up for victory.

The opener shared partnerships worth 28 and 48 respectively with Kyle Swanepoel (2) and Zuan Joubert (20). Especially with Swanepoel, Liebenberg faced the lion’s share of deliveries and contributed the majority of the runs.

After four overs, Liebenberg was on 22 from 15. When Swanepoel was dismissed at the start of the fifth over, it seemed as if a switch had been flicked for Liebenberg. He blasted 28 runs off the next nine deliveries to race to a 21-ball half-century. After he departed, Helpmekaar struggled to maintain the momentum. Kevin Oliver (14), Juandré Verwey (15), and Anthony Stone (17*) reached double figures but none exited the teens.

In reply, Liam Mudenda struck a valiant 70 off 42. However, his half-century was not enough to secure a win for St Stithians. Like his opposite number, Liebenberg, Mudenda scored most of the runs in Saints’ opening partnership. Then, he followed it up with a good second wicket stand with Thomas Collins (34*). St Stithians, though, needed Mudenda to bat through their innings because he was the only one scoring at a brisk rate.

Darshik Lutchman (36) top-scored for St John’s College for a second time in succession to help them secure a 43-run home win over Parktown Boys’ High. He joined hands with James Yuill (34) for a 48-run opening stand that set the hosts up for a score of 152/8. That total proved to be too much for Parktown, who mustered only 109/6 in response.

Lutchman and Yuill were the only St John’s batsmen to go past the 30-run mark. Alec Loveland came close with a 22-ball 28, while Malan du Plessis chipped in with 16 off 14. Merrick Schwartz’s three wickets for 23 runs from four overs for Parktown was not enough to prevent coach Bongani Ntini‘s charges from batting at over 7.5 runs an over.

Ethan Robinson, Malan du Plessis, and Rohan Bray, then, claimed wickets at regular intervals and finished with a brace of wickets each to stop Parktown from finding a foothold in the contest. Their efforts meant that Khanyisa Kraai lacked support in the run chase. The wicketkeeper scored a valiant 53 off 38, in vain.

Playing at home, Steyn City won the toss and opted to put Noordheuwel in to bat first and that decision delivered early dividends as Noordheuwel scored slowly. Openers Marius Penning (14) and Ethan Smith (26) went at moderate strike rates of less than 100.

Matters took an upward trajectory, though, when Corné Botha and Brandon Pieters arrived at the crease. Botha struck a 16-ball 20 and Pieters weighed in with 25 off 21.

Their efforts helped Noordheuwel tally 110/6. That proved to be more than enough for Nories, who restricted Steyn City to only 74/8 to run out the convincing winners by 36 runs.

Steyn City made a positive start to their innings. Their top three batsmen, Murray Leith (28), Matthew LittleBarbour (12), and Sachin Sunker (13) reached double figures. However, after they were removed, no one bettered seven runs, thanks to a disciplined bowling and fielding performance from Noordheuwel.

Sage Pretorius led their attack with two wickets for seven runs in three overs. Gomolemo Sibi and Corné Olivier also picked up two each very cheaply.

Scorecard

Helpmekaar 147/7 (Anrich Liebenberg 59, Zuan Joubert 20, Nicholas Bayly 2/19, Akhil Challa 1/12). St Stithians 145/4 (Liam Mudenda 70, Thomas Collins 34*, Jandre Verwey 2/32, Anrich Liebenberg 1/8). Helpmekaar won by two runs.

St John’s 152/8 (Darshik Lutchman 36, James Yuill 34, Merrick Schwartz 3/23, Abhay Patel 1/29). Parktown 109/6 (Khanyisa Kraai 53, Hlasi Mqingwana 18, Ethan Robinson 2/12, Malan du Plessis 2/17). St John’s won by 43 runs.

Noordheuwel 110/6 (Etan Smith 26, Brandon Pieters 25, Daniel Thomlinson 2/15, Austin van Jaarsveld 2/22) Steyn City 74/8 (Murray Leith 28, Sachin Sunker 13, Sage Pretorius 2/7, Gomolemo Sibi 2/12). Noordheuwel won by 36 runs.

CS Chiwanza
error: Sorry ol' chap, those shenanigans are not permissible.