Menlopark too good for Pietersburg, Nel and Genis run the show in Middelburg
Die Hoërskool Menlopark‘s young 1st XI showed off the school’s cricketing depth in Pretoria on Saturday as they eliminated Hoërskool Pietersburg from the Fain Noordvaal competition after their quarterfinal clash.
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Playing without the services of four Grade 12s, the Parkies won the toss and opted to bat first.
They might have had second thoughts about that decision for a moment or two when the in-form Matt van der Westhuizen was sent back to the pavilion for a duck by the visitor’s best bowler on the day, Celliers van der Merwe, who captured a fine 4/36.
Dian van Zyl, however, steadied the ship with a well-played and mature 49 runs. Owen Louwies also batted nicely for his 25 and, together with Van Zyl, combined for an important partnership of 90 runs.
Morné Koekemoer chipped in with a useful 36, but it was Jan-Willem Pienaar who stole the spotlight. Batting at six, Pienaar cantered along at a brisk pace, hitting seven boundaries, including five fours and two sixes, in a vital contribution of 65 runs, which helped the home side to a respectable total of 242 all out.
Stephan Swanepoel (2/25) and Dian Gouws (2/59) supported Celliers van der Merwe well, with both chipping in with two wickets to go along with the opening bowler’s tally of four. Unfortunately for the side from Polokwane, their reply didn’t go according to plan.
The Menlopark pitch tends to favour spin bowling later in the day, and the Parkies’ tall off-spinner, Murray Hofmeyr, cashed in. In 7.1 overs, he conceded only 16 runs, and that pressure yielded three wickets. Matt van der Westhuizen missed out with the bat, but he made an impact with the ball, snapping up 3/24 in seven overs.
The combination of Hofmeyr and Van der Westhuizen undermined Pietersburg’s run chase, although Hanno van Zyl produced a patient 36 runs from 57 balls in an attempt to get his team back into the game.
Hanru Marais weighed in with 27, but his contribution and that of Van Zyl were the only noteworthy innings for the Polokwane school, who were bowled out for 146 after the first ball of the 35th over.
In Middelburg, Hendré Nel and Gavin Genis put on a show when Hoërskool Middelburg crossed paths with Hoërskool Kempton Park in a quarter-final game played on Friday.
After winning the toss, Middies mustered a disappointing 130 all out, led 23 from Genis, with Warren Pretorius knocking over 3/35 for the visitors.
The hosts would have to produce something special to keep the Kempies’ strong batting lineup from waltzing to a win. They did.
Floors Mynhardt got the visitors off to a rollicking start with a good-looking 38 runs from 36 balls, but Genis and Nel, then, got stuck into the Kempton Park batting. Nel, Middelburg’s opening bowler, heaped pressure on the Kempies’ batsman, capturing an economical 4/17 from 8.5 overs.
Genis, who has been in sensational form, stole the show, however, claiming his second consecutive five-for in the Noordvaal competition at a cost of 48 runs.
Together, the duo combined to snag nine wickets in just less than 19 overs. That took the wind out of the Kempton Park sails, sending the visitors tumbling out of the competition after they tallied only 101 all out.
Summarised scorecards
Menlopark 242/10 (Jan-Willem Pienaar 65, Dian van Zyl 49, Morné Koekemoer 36, Owen Louwies 25; Celliers van der Merwe 4/36, Stephan Swanepoel 3/25, Dian Gouws 2/59); Hoërskool Pieterburg 146/10 (Hanno van Zyl 36, Hanru Marais 27; Murray Hofmeyer 3/16, Matt van der Westhuizen 3/24). Menlopark won by 96 runs.
Hoërskool Middelburg 130/10 (Gavin Genis 23, Hendré Nel 20; Warren Pretorius 3/35, Wian Pieters 2/13, Keaden Posthumis 2/27); Hoërskool Kempton Park 101/10 (Floors Mynhardt 38; Gavin Genis 5/48, Hendré Nel 4/17). Hoërskool Middelburg won by 29 runs.
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