Sibiya’s unbeaten ton secures victory for St John’s
Nkosana Sibiya played a proper captain’s knock to shepherd St John’s College to a comfortable seven-wicket win over St David’s Marist Inanda at St David’s on Saturday.
The victory was a perfect way for the visitors to wrap up the year, since it was the last St John’s match of 2025.
After a delayed start, the contest was reduced from 50 overs to 45 overs a side.
When he called the coin flip correctly, Sibiya inserted the hosts to bat first. His bowlers responded well to his decision, bundling out St David’s for 214/10 in 44.2 overs.
The left-hander, then, took control of the run chase and motored to an unbeaten 110 to lead St John’s to 218/3 and victory in 41 overs. His innings, which lasted 112 balls, featured 12 fours and two sixes.
Hayden Campbell top-scored for St David’s with a handy 60 runs from only 64 deliveries, but his effort wasn’t enough to lift St David’s to a winning total. The damage had been done earlier. Only two of the St David’s top five reached double figures but, unlike the Blues, none of them went beyond the 50-run mark.
Roberto Mariano did well, contributing 44 from 39 balls at the top of the order, but he lacked substantial support. Michael Smithyman got his eye in, scoring a steady 24 from 30 but failed to kick on.
The lower order struggled to make an impact and were made to work hard for their runs by the St John’s bowlers. Eventually, the home side inched past the 200-run mark.
The visitors also gave away fewer extras than their hosts, with St David’s conceding 19 and St John’s surrendering 11.
Ethan Robinson went for a few, but picked up three wickets, claiming 3/58 in nine overs, while his new ball partner, David Ireland, was more economical, claiming 2/34.
Aadhavan Kallan and Herman Basson bagged a brace of wickets apiece, too, with Kallan returning 2/19 runs in 4.2 overs, while Basson’s two wickets cost him 43 runs from seven overs.
The St John’s victory was set up by a solid 135-run opening partnership between Sibiya and Darshik Lutchman, which not only brought them runs but also took the shine off the new ball. It lasted until the 24th over, which was when Lutchman was dismissed by Miles Pegg. He had struck 11 fours in his 61 from 81 balls.
The visitors must have experienced a flutter in their stomachs when Pegg struck again two balls later, sending Michael Stubbs packing for a two-ball duck.
Herman Basson stopped Pegg’s assault, however, with a watchful approach. The all-rounder didn’t need to go on the offensive because the Blues were ahead of the required rate, and Sibiya continued to accumulate runs. Basson kept his captain company until the 38th over. By the time he departed for 27, St John’s required just 16 runs from 6.3 overs to win.
Pegg stood out for St David’s, nabbing 2/51 from his nine overs, while Chris Emslie was the only other wicket-taker, returning a tidy 1/35 from nine.
Summarised Scorecard
St David’s 214/10 (Hayden Campbell 60, Roberto Mariano 44, Michael Smithyman 24, Ethan Robinson 3/58, David Ireland 2/34, Aadhavan Kallan 2/19). St John’s 218/3 (Nkosana Sibiya 110*, Darshik Lutchman 61, Herman Basson 27; Miles Pegg 2/51, Chris Emslie 1/35). St John’s won by seven wickets.
