Pretorius shines with the ball, Botha piles on the runs for Affies
Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies) made their annual visit to the Western Cape over the weekend, playing three matches on the bounce, winning two and losing only one.
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The boys from the north faced stiff competition, squaring off with three renowned cricketing schools. They faced a promising Paul Roos Gimnasium side and the southern suburbs’ powers, Wynberg Boys’ High and Rondebosch Boys’ High. Only ‘Bosch got the better of them.
Affies’ Vihan Pretorius, who is usually mentioned because of his batting achievements, was in scintillating form with the ball. His skilful right-arm medium-pace bowling fit right in with the conditions in the Western Cape.
On the first day, against Paul Roos, bowling at first change, he sent down his full quota of 10 overs, which cost 40 runs. It was, however, the wickets’ column that stood out.
Pretorius sent seven Paul Roos batsmen packing, which included both of the home side’s highest scorers, Luca Plekker (90) and Ruben Coetzee (55). To put the cherry on top, Pretorius also claimed a hat-trick to finish off the Stellenbosch side’s innings. They had totalled 225 runs.
Plekker produced a fine knock. He played a textbook number three innings, accumulating 90 runs from 126 deliveries. That included only six fours as he worked the ball around the field and ran well between the wickets.
JP Botha began a purple patch of run-scoring in the Affies’ innings. The opening batsman looked assured and comfortable, tallying 83 runs before he was run out. Daniel Murray, also, played a confident knock and steered the ship home with an unbeaten 76 as Affies recorded a convincing five-wicket victory.
Wynberg Boys’ High was up next. Pretorius was again the mainstay with the ball, claiming 2/36. Wynberg’s Storme van Rooyen (32) and Muhammad Schroeder (24) fought hard against the disciplined Affies’ attack and helped the home team to an eight-runs-per-over total of 160/9 from their 20 overs.
In the touring side’s reply, Murray was again among the runs and unbeaten on 36 not out, but Affies’ captain Ruben Groenewald stole the show. Striking the ball sweetly, he smashed four sixes and three fours in a 40-ball knock that brought him 50 runs, and Affies triumphed by six wickets.
On Sunday, the visitors from Pretoria fell to a defeat against against Rondebosch Boys’ High. In a low-scoring encounter, the home side’s Daniel Cooke delivered the knockout blow.
A superb 5/14 from Xavier de Wet helped limit Rondebosch to 144 all out, with Tyler Heyns‘ 36 the hosts’ best batting return. It wasn’t a big total, but Cooke and his fellow bowlers easily defended it.
Cooke’s return was even better than De Wet’s as he decimated the Affies’ batting, capturing 6/13 in only six overs. With Hlumelo Mgweba also excelling, with 3/20, Affies was unable to mount a challenge. They were bowled out for only 87 runs, leaving ‘Bosch the handsome winners by 57 runs.
Summarised scorecards
Friday, 21 February
Paul Roos Gimnasium 225/10 (Luca Plekker 90, Ruben Coetzee 55; Vihan Pretorius 7/40); Affies 228/5 (JP Botha 83, Daniel Murray 76*, Extras 31, Dylan Stander 20*; Neil Barnard 2/40). Affies won by five wickets.
Saturday, 22 February
Wynberg Boys’ High 160/8 (Storme van Rooyen 32, Muhhamad Schroeder 24, Extras 20; Vihan Pretorius 2/36); Affies 166/4 (Ruben Groenewald 50*, Daniel Murray 36*, Extras 26; Joshua Price 2/25). Affies won by six wickets.
Sunday, 23 February
Rondebosch Boys’ High 144/10 (Tyler Heyns 36, Daniel Bosman 22; Xavier de Wet 5/14, JP Botha 2/31); Affies 87/10 (JP Botha 20; Daniel Cooke 6/13, Hlumelo Mgweba 3/20). Rondebosch Boys’ High won by 57 runs.
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