Maritzburg College ousts St Charles in Tuskers’ Schools SA20 semis
Well beaten by St Charles College two weeks ago, Maritzburg College avenged that defeat by ousting Saints in the semi-finals of the Tuskers’ Schools SA20 at Hilton College on Friday.
In a low-scoring contest, the Red, Black, and White won by two wickets, with nine balls to spare.
St Charles chose to bat first after the flip of the coin went their way and while the top four in their order all made it into double figures, they struggled to get on top of the College bowling.
Rico Honiball and Christiaan Prinsloo shared an opening stand of 24 before Honiball was caught behind by wicketkeeper Tian van Niekerk off Karl Dedekind for 17 from 20.
Prinsloo and Thando Zama moved the total along to 49 before Prinsloo was caught by Joseph Currie off Dedekind for 11 from 28 deliveries. After 10.4 overs, Saints were on a rather pedestrian 49/2.
Zama was the third man to depart, run out by Samuel Hughes for 29 from 24, with four fours. His knock proved to be the highest of the St Charles’ innings.
Rowen Rajah added 15 from 21, but after the top four batsmen in the order, no other batsmen came close to making it to double figures. Connor Vogt, with six not out, was the next best, as College’s bowlers took charge.
From 67/3 just before the end of the 14th over, following the dismissal of Zama, Saints struggled, unable to seriously ramp up their run-scoring production as they lost five more wickets.
They were restricted to only 100/8, with Dedekind claiming 2/15 in three, and Reece Willson returning 2/22 from four. Nathan Pembridge kept the St Charles batsmen in check, taking 1/15 in three, while Sphamandla Dzanibe did a splendid job, picking up 1/10 in three. Sam Hughes, who took the new ball, also dialled up the pressure, conceding only 12 runs from his four overs.
Maritzburg College started their reply quickly, but they lost Tian van Niekerk in the first over for eight. His opening partner, Daniel Nadasan followed for two in the third over, a second victim of fast bowler Rowen Rajah.
Sphamandla Dzanibe and Karl Dedekind stopped the St Charles bowlers for a while, partnering for 42 from 43 balls before Dzanibe fell to Keegan Vermaak for 34, the highest score of the match, which had included a six and three fours. He faced 44 deliveries.
Dedekind made 14 and Doelyn Naidoo 12, but, much like Saints, little came from the lower order. There was, however, another contributor that made a big difference, and that was extras. St Charles gave up 17, including 12 wides, while College surrendered nine, of which only five were wides. In a low-scoring game, that played a massive role in the outcome.
College claimed victory off the third ball of the second last over, moving to 104/8 to book their place in the final against Hilton College.
Keegan Vermaak, whose wickets included those of College’s two highest scorers, Dzanibe and Dedekind, snapped up a sharp 3/13 in four overs., while Rowen Rajah knocked over 2/20 in his four, and Covhan Baaitjies took 2/16 in 2.3, but those extras hurt Saints.
Summarised Scorecards
St Charles College 100/8 (Thando Zama 29, Rico Honiball 17, Karl Dedekind 2/15, Reece Willson 2/22, Sphamandla Dzanibe 1/10, Nathan Pembridge 1/15); Maritzburg College 104/8 (Sphamandla Dzanibe 34, Karl Dedekind 14, Keegan Vermaak 3/13, Covhan Baaitjies 2/16, Rowen Rajah 2/20).
Maritzburg College won by two wickets.
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