Matsha and Barbour shine in victories for St Stithians and Steyn City
Ombesa Matsha compiled a brilliant half-century to steer St Stithians College to a thrilling seven-wicket win over Hoërskool Noordheuwel in their Johnny Waite Trophy clash on the Main Oval at Noordheuwel on Thursday.
Nicholas Bayly, the Saints‘ captain, won the toss and chose to bowl first. His bowlers answered the call and restricted Norries to 138/8 from their 20 overs. After a tension-packed run chase, the visitors snatched victory off the final delivery of the match, which finished with St Stithians on 139/3.
Matsha struck nine fours and three sixes on his way to a match-winning 87 from only 65 balls. The opener, who held the Saints’ innings together, was in the middle for 18.2 overs. He shared a cracking 126-run second-wicket partnership with Thomas Collins (43) that all but confirmed victory for the visitors.
When Matsha fell in the 19th over, run out while trying to scamper through for a quick single, St Stithians needed only five more runs from 10 deliveries. His exit offered a lifeline to the Norries’ challenge, and they grabbed it, bowling tight lines and good lengths to the two new batsmen, Nicholas Bayly and Matthew Anderson.
Hanru Begeman conceded only a single run from the remaining four balls of the penultimate over, which left Saints needing three runs to win from six balls. Tidi Moeketsane was as disciplined and tight as Begeman. The Norries’ captain conceded only two runs off the first five deliveries of the 20th over. His opposite number, Bayly, though, held his nerve and struck a single off the final delivery to clinch a heart-stopping victory for the visitors.
Earlier in the day, Moeketsane stood tall for Noordheuwel with an unbeaten 43 from 36 balls, which included sharing a wonderful 45-run sixth-wicket partnership with Juvan Lamont (35) that helped the hosts to recover from an indifferent start to their innings.
Kian Liebenberg (16) and Wander Roolvink (13) were the only other Noordheuwel batsmen to reach double figures.
Tajendra Naidu was the pick of the Saints’ bowlers, claiming 2/26 from four overs. Zaakir Hanslo was only slightly more costly. He also bagged a brace but surrendered 28 runs from his four overs.
St John’s College vs Steyn City School
Steyn City enjoyed a rewarding visit to the Mitchell Oval at St John’s, where Matthew Barbour‘s steady half-century set up the visitors for a five-wicket win.
The hosts won the toss, batted first, and raced along at a healthy clip to tally a challenging 173/4. It took Steyn City every ball of their 20 overs, but they overhauled St John’s in the end, finishing on 174/5.
Darshik Lutchman, with an unbeaten 73, and captain Nkosana Sibiya, with 67, led a sterling batting effort from the home side. They provided the bulk of their side’s runs, with Tapiwa Chikwava, who chipped in with 11 not out, being the only other St John’s batsman to get to double figures.
Kurt Losch was the pick of the bowlers for Steyn City, capturing 2/31 from 3.5 overs. Austin van Jaarsveld and Somaan Khan picked up a wicket each.
Matthew Barbour, then, led Steyn City’s successful run pursuit, anchoring their innings with a well-paced 59 runs from 51 balls. The opener cobbled together a 55-run opening stand with Murray Leith, who weighed in with a useful 30.
Next, Barbour combined with Joshua Michau (12) for 33 runs for the second wicket. His last act was a match-winning 62-run third-wicket stand with Sachin Sunker.
Sunker, who shared a brief 10-run sixth-wicket partnership with Max Burroughs (10*), kept Steyn City’s scorecard ticking after Barbour’s dismissal in the 18th over and finished the contest with a crucial unbeaten 39 from 27 balls.
Herman Basson led the St John’s attack, removing three batsmen while giving up 34 runs.
Summarised Scorecards
Noordheuwel 138/8 (Tidi Moeketsane 42*, Juwan Lamont 35; Tajendra Naidu 2/26, Zaakir Hanslo 2/28). St Stithians 139/3 (Ombesa Matsha 87, Thomas Collins 43; Tidi Moeketsane 1/19, Gerhard Roolvink 1/33). St Stithians won by seven wickets.
St John’s 173/4 (Darshik Lutchman 73*, Nkosana Sibiya 67; Kurt Losch 2/31, Somaan Khan 1/27). Steyn City 174/5 (Matthew Barbour 59, Sachin Sunker 39*; Herman Basson 3/34, Tapiwa Chikwava 1/26). Steyn City won by five wickets.
