Pearson take the Cape by storm, but Bishops proves a step too far
Pearson spent the weekend in the Western Cape, taking on Paul Roos Gimnasium, Somerset College and Bishops Diocesan College.
After two stunning successes against Paul Roos and Somerset, the boys from Gqeberha finally met their match when they tackled Bishops on Sunday.
They started their tour in Stellenbosch, where Cayden Wilson struck 64 against Paul Roos to help the visitors post 149 all out in a limited overs fixture.
Cornel Swart responded with a masterful 74 not out, but Jude Septoo‘s 3/16, which tore through the tail-end of the Paul Roos batting order, was just enough to see the visitors to a narrow four-run victory.
On Saturday, Pearson outmuscled Somerset College, after both teams performed well at the crease. Captain Esa Gangat led their charge with an unbeaten innings of 75 runs.
Chad Ayford (60) and Owethu Moyi (40) helped Somerset lay down a challenge as they totalled 242/8 after their 50 overs, but Gangat bludgeoned 11 boundaries to power his team to the win in the 44th over, with six wickets in hand.
Pearson’s biggest challenge of the weekend was always going to be Bishops, though. The southern suburbs’ powerhouse has been impeccable form in the year of the school’s 175th anniversary.
Coming off a stunning win against Paarl Boys’ High on Saturday, after a gruelling battle that lasted 123 overs, the Bishops’ bowlers were straight back into the action on Sunday and they responded well to dismiss the visitors for a slender 121.
Michael Kotze spearheaded the bowling attack, removing three batsmen for only 17 runs in 10 overs. Six of those overs were maidens, which piled a huge amount of pressure onto the visitors.
When Bishops replied, they quickly realised they were in for a stiff challenge as Sulaymaan Gangat and his older brother, Esa, reduced the hosts to 13/2 in the early going.
Despite further successes for the brothers and Cayde Wilson, Pearson’s low total meant Bishops could play patiently, and that’s exactly what they did, to add another victory to their impressive record.
Kashief Joseph set Bishops up for the win by smashing five sixes in an innings of 48. When he was out, a victim of Esa Gangat, the home side needed only 40 runs for victory.
In the 23rd over, Waco Bassick (1*) and Sam Stavely-Alexander (10*) scored the winning run to keep Bishops’ long winning streak alive.
Despite the loss, Pearson will be delighted by their players’ performances over the weekend, and they’ll be keen to return to the win column when they face Dan Pienaar on 10 February.
Summarised Scorecards
4 February
Pearson 121/10 (Luke Hector 35*; Michael Kotze 3/17, Peyton Leigh 2/37); Bishops Diocesan College 122/6 (Kashief Joseph 48, Litha Mbiko 21; Sulaymaan Gangat 2/29, Cayden Wilson 2/37; Esa Gangat 2/56). Bishops Diocesan College won by four wickets.
3 February
Somerset College 242/8 (Chad Ayford 60, Owethu Moyi 40, Eden Scott 39, Extras 24, Tyrone Rieth 25; Divan Els 2/27, Sulaymaan Gangat 2/59); Pearson 244/4 (Esa Gangat 75*, Leander van Rooyen 50, Sulaymaan Gangat 37, Divan Els 28, Jude Septoo 24; Chad Ayford 3/37). Pearson won by six wickets (50 Overs).
2 February
Pearson 149/10 (Cayden Wilson 64, Extras 29, Matt Seymore 2/15, Keauno Williams 2/24, Neil Barnard 2/28, Dian Winkel 2/33); Paul Roos Gimnasium 145/10 (Cornel Swart 74*, Extras 23; Jude Septoo 3/16, Reegan Meyer 2/21, Esa Gangat 2/32); Pearson won by four runs (50 Overs).
