Midstream ends Hans Moore’s spotless Finsbury run
Hoërskool Hans Moore‘s spotless record in the B Section of the Finsbury League came to an abrupt end on Saturday when Midstream College scored a surprise victory in Benoni.
In a low-scoring thriller, the Midrand school edged past the section’s only unbeaten team with two wickets in hand.
Batting first, Hans Moore was restricted to only 132 all out, with Aidan Shaw, as has become the norm, carrying their batting. In difficult conditions, he continued his excellent run of form. His 63 made up almost half of his side’s total.
Support, however, proved scarce. Sohil Jagnath weighed in with a gritty 32, standing firm against relentless pressure from Tehan Maré and the rest of the Midstream bowling attack.
Maré was the pick of the bowlers, capturing 3/12, while Jonathan Wiseman was, as ever, a constant threat, finishing with 2/14.
Midstream’s reply resembled Moories‘ innings, but their top scorer enjoyed greater support. Rikus Cilliers led the way with 38, while two additional contributions of 20-plus runs from Wian de Bruin and Keegan Gibson proved decisive.
Despite disciplined spells from Nathan King and Isaac Aube, who both claimed 2/21, Midstream did just enough to battle their way to a memorable victory.
In Nelspruit, Christivan Coetzer was near his fluent best as he guided Potchefstroom Gimnasium back to winning ways with a man-of-the-match 87 against Hoërskool Nelspruit.
In contrast to his usual attacking style, though, Coetzer showed restraint and maturity, facing 110 deliveries, while rotating the strike with authority and stroking eight fours.
Jahndré Coetzee excelled when Potch Gim was in the field, claiming 3/27, the best figures of the match, which helped to restrict Nellies to 171 all out in pursuit of a victory target of 214. Luan Siebrits stood out for the hosts with a well-made 61, but he was their only batsman to pass 30.
In Alberton, Hoërskool Montana captain Juan Theunissen delivered a commanding all-round performance in his side’s six-wicket victory over Hoërskool Marais Viljoen.
Theunissen was particularly incisive with the ball, ripping into the Marais Viljoen batting with a telling 4/16 from just six overs as the hosts were dismissed for a mere 89.
He then capped off a fine day by top-scoring with 28, the highest individual contribution in the Monties‘ innings, to guide his side to a comfortable win inside 22 overs.
Summarised scorecards
Hans Moore 132/10 (Aidan Shaw 63, Sohil Jagnath 32; Tehan Mare 3/12, Jonathan Wiseman 2/14, Dian de Villiers 2/20); Midstream College 134/8 (Rikus Cilliers 38, Wian de Bruin 22*, Keegan Gibson 20; Nathan King 2/21, Isaac Aube 2/21, Kyle Wratten 2/30). Midstream College won by two wickets.
Potchefstroom Gimnasium 213/10 (Christivan Coetzer 87, Ulrich Botha 33, Thloni Tabatha 31; Kesha Moore 3/35, Gerdu van Eeden 3/45, Hanru van der Merwe 2/28); Hoërskool Nelspruit 171/10 (Luan Siebrits 61, Jeandré de Bruyn 22, Dian Boucher 20; Jahndré Coetzee 3/27, Henré Cronje 2/26, Adriaan van Niekerk 2/54). Potchefstroom Gimnasium won by 42 runs.
Hoërskool Marais Viljoen 89/10 (Hendré Cilliers 31, Ethan van Rooyen 27; Juan Theunissen 4/16, Woudter Kotsze 2/10, Durandt Stassen 2/12, De Wet du Toit 2/26); Hoërskool Montana 90/4 (Juan Theunissen 28; Ethan van Rooyen 2/24). Montana won by six wickets.
