Leslie brings down the curtain on Makhanda Festival in style
Graydon Leslie scored an imperious century to set Michaelhouse up for a thrilling six-run win over St Andrew’s College in their Makhanda Cricket Festival T20 match on the Lower Field, at St Andrew’s College, on Sunday.
Leslie won the toss, elected to bat first, and shepherded his side to 152/9. His bowlers then stepped up to the plate and restricted the hosts to 146/7 in reply.
The Michaelhouse captain struck 10 fours and five sixes in his unbeaten 106 from 62 balls and almost singlehandedly held the ‘House innings together.
The St Andrew’s bowlers, led by Oliver Whitaker, saw to it that eight of Michaelhouse’s batsmen scored a combined total of five runs between them, but that did not affect Leslie’s focus.
The team from the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands slipped to 35/6 in the seventh over of their innings, but Leslie enjoyed much-needed support from Thandanani Zuma (21) and Matthew Southwood (15) lower down the order, and together with Zuma added 74 runs for the ninth wicket, which was, by far, the best partnership of the Michaelhouse innings. Next best was his 42-run seventh wicket stand with Southwood.
Connor Holder led the St Andrew’s College run chase. He made his way to the crease in the fifth over and provided College’s innings with a lift, taking only 30 balls to score 44 runs. He and Sebastian Steffny, who weighed in with 30, shared a 61-run third-wicket partnership, which threatened to take the game away from Michaelhouse. But it ended when Steffny was run out by Graydon Leslie in the 14th over.
Cody Sander strengthened Michaelhouse’s position when he executed another run out to dismiss Holder seven balls later.
Thandanani Zuma was Michaelhouse’s best bowler, returning 2/27 from his four overs, while Rendani Nonge contributed 2/35 from his four.
St David’s Marist Inanda vs Kingswood College
Kingswood College concluded a successful Makhanda Cricket Festival campaign with a comfortable six-wicket win over St David’s Marist Inanda at City Lords. St David’s, who won the toss and chose to bat first, mustered only 110/5 in their 20 overs to which Kingswood replied with 114 with three overs in hand.
Daniel Jakins led Kingswood with the ball, claiming 2/13 from four penetrative overs. He was well supported by David Loudon and Rogan Goliath, who took a wicket each and kept the Johannesburg school in check. Jakins, who was outstanding during the St David’s innings, also executed a run out to dismiss Khutso Sekgobela in the 17th over.
Maru Challies was the highest run scorer for St David’s with an unbeaten 29 from 27 balls, while Michael Smithyman tallied 23 and Sohail Seonath 22.
Set a moderate victory target, Kingswood stumbled early in their chase, losing their openers, Daniel Jakins and Chad Roodt, for five and eight runs respectively. Christopher Zimmerman stabilised the innings, however, with a 26-run third-wicket partnership with James Meyer and followed that up with an even more fruitful stand with David Loudon, adding 53 runs for the fourth wicket.
That partnership took Kingswood to within nine runs of victory. Simon Sheard and Zimmerman then saw the home side to victory, with Zimmerman finishing unbeaten on 43.
Peterhouse vs Steyn City School
In another tight contest, Peterhouse, from Marondera, Zimbabwe, like their brother school, Michaelhouse, tasted victory. They held off Steyn City School, recording a narrow 17-run win.
Batting first, Peterhouse totalled a middling 128 all out, with Bean Spencer scoring 35, while Zach Potgieter sliced through the Zimbabweans’ batting, knocking over 5/25.
Keegan Smallbone delivered a sound innings for Steyn City, scoring 48, and Sachin Sunker made 23, but, despite their combined 71 runs, Steyn City was unable to reach the 129 they needed to win.
Victor Watama threw a spanner in the works, capturing 3/18, while Callum Scott-Elliot nabbed 2/20.
Graeme College vs St Alban’s College
Graeme College received a superb all-round performance from captain, Andrew Muir, in their four-wicket win over St Alban’s College.
He snapped up 3/20 and received good backing from Lisekho Zinyane, who took 2/20, as the Pretoria school clawed their way to 117 all out. Kyle Block made a healthy 45, but Will Hewitt, with 14, was the next best batsman, leaving the St Alban’s total a little light.
Muir tallied 25 not out, while Corbin Tidbury led the way with 32 as Graeme College replied with 118/6. Tristan Naidoo, with 2/13, and Musa Musooko, with 2/24, held up the home team’s push for victory, but they were not to be denied.
Summarised Scorecards
Michaelhouse 152/9 (Grayden Leslie 106*, Thandanani Zuma 21; Oliver Whitaker 3/12, William Stevens 2/15). St Andrew’s College 146/7 (Connor Holder 44, Sabastian Steffny 30; Thandanani Zuma 2/27, Rendani Nonge 2/35). Michaelhouse won by six runs.
St David’s Marist Inanda 110/5 (Maru Challies 29*, Michael Smithyman 23; Daniel Jakins 2/13, David Loudon 1/19). Kingswood 114/4 (Christopher Zimmerman 43*, David Loudon 25; Christopher Emslie 1/11, Kai Davis 1/9). Kingswood won by six wickets.
Peterhouse 128/10 (Bean Spencer 35, Chapman Taylor 22; Zach Potgieter 5/25, Brandan Lea 2/19). Steyn City 111/10 (Keegan Smallbone 48, Sachin Sunker 23; Victor Watama 3/18, Callum Scott-Elliot 2/20). Peterhouse won by 17 runs.
St Alban’s College 117/10 (Kyle Block 45, Will Hewitt 14; Andrew Muir 3/20, Lisekho Zinyane 2/18). Graeme College 118/6 (Corbin Tidbury 32, Andrew Muir 25*; Tristan Naidoo 2/13, Musa Musooko 2/24). Graeme College won by four wickets.
