Queens High School’s top order secures victory over St Alban’s
Queen’s High School‘s batsmen led the way as they secured a narrow 12-run victory over St Alban’s College on Saturday.
Sanele Tshabalala set a fine example, top scoring with a mature 59 from 80 deliveries. Thereafter, Tshepiso Sinosi (58, 53b) and Mzwakhe Mkhwanazi (56, 46b) both notched up half-centuries to continue the good work with the willow.
Further contributions from Pranay Tailor (38) and Katlego Sekopane (20, 42b) ensured a wonderful day for the Queens’ batsmen as they accumulated 294/8 in their 50 overs, just shy of the 300-run milestone.
Tim Garnett was the pick of the St Albans bowler’s, bagging figures of 3/46 in 10 overs, while Liam Basch claimed 2/53 in his spell.
The St Alban’s reply looked almost dead and buried after a poor start to their innings. They stumbled to 49/4, chasing a mammoth 295, and needed something spectacular to get themselves back into the contest. They got it!
When Liam Basch was joined in the middle by Boago Motlhabedi, the pair set about repairing the damage and pulled their side right back into the fight. They combined for an astonishing 179-run partnership, which almost saw them pull off the unimaginable.
Basch’s innings of 123 not out from 122 deliveries will most certainly live on to be one of the best played by a St Alban’s representative, while Motlhabedi contributed an impressive 83 of his own.
However, a timely wicket from Katlego Sekopane (1/56) saw St Alban’s fall agonisingly short of the massive victory target, stranded 13 runs from the win as they ran out of overs with the total on 282/5.
Meanwhile, Jeppe High School for Boys came out on top in their clash against their old foes Helpmekaar Kollege.
After mustering only 145 all out, with Anthony Stone scoring 30 from 38 balls and Juan Minnaar weighing in with 23, the Helpie Bowlers knew it was up to them to win the match.
They nearly did as Jeppe found themselves in a world of trouble after slumping to 35/5, thanks to an impressive effort by Dihan Janse van Rensburg (3/38).
However, a 75-run partnership between Seth Fabry (45, 71b) and Tiago Almeida (42, 36b) resurrected the Jeppe innings and they eventually scraped home with three wickets to spare.
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Summarised Scorecards:
Queen’s High School 294/8 (Sanele Tshabalala 59, Tshepiso Sinosi 58, Mzwakhe Mkhwanazi 56, Pranay Tailor 38, Katlego Sekopane 20; Tim Garnett 3/46, Liam Basch 2/23); St Albans 282/5 (Liam Basch 123*, Boago Motlhabedi 83; Pranay Taylor 1/21). Queens College won by 12 runs.
Helpmekaar 147/10 (Anthony Stone 30, Juan Minnaar 23; Shreth Kumar 4/48, Tino Mutekwa 3/15, Munib Ayob 2/23); Jeppe 148/7 (Seth Fabry 45, Tiago Almeida 42; Dihan Janse van Rensburg 3/38). Jeppe won by three wickets.
