Spin dominates as top contenders win on opening morning in Potchefstroom
The defending Central Region champions in the Switch Schools SA20, St Andrew’s School, and their chief rivals for the weekend’s playoffs, Hoërskool Rustenburg and Potchefstroom Gimnasium, all made winning starts on Friday morning in Potchefstroom.
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At the JB Marks Oval, Nikhil Sukraj‘s leg spin proved decisive for St Andrew’s against Hoërskool Kalahari.
After Saints had posted 142/6, the side from Kuruman was bundled out for just 68 in reply, with Sukraj’s four overs costing a mere 15 runs while yielding four wickets.
A disciplined bowling display from Wilrich Mostert (2/25) helped to restrict the Bloemfontein outfit to a moderate total after Saints had appeared set for something bigger following a 95-run opening stand between Johnathan Hickley and Dean Katzin.
Hickley registered the first half-century of the playoff weekend, striking a vital 58 off only 40 deliveries, and Katzin, the national u17 squash champion, weighed in with 39 from 35 before Sukraj took centre stage with the ball to dismantle the Kalahari line-up.
On the neighbouring fields at North-West University, both Hoërskool Rustenburg and Potchefstroom Gimnasium won comfortably.
The Rusties accounted for St Patrick’s Christian Brothers College on the Ibbies Oval, while the Gimmies brushed aside Hoërskool Trio on the main NWU Oval, with both sides recording five-wicket victories in low-scoring encounters. Rustenburg was set a target of just 81, while the Potch Gim required only 83. Spin, once again, played a central role in those matches.
For Rustenburg, Hendri Kemp was outstanding, returning figures of 3/12 from his four overs, while Thian Labuschagne shone with 2/13. For the Gimmies, opening bowler Damian Kruger, ironically a seam bowler, produced the best figures of the opening round, claiming 4/11 in his four overs. He was ably backed up by Ruhann Steenkamp (2/22) and Tlhoni Thabatha (2/26).
While all three fancied sides emerged victorious, the batting units of the North West schools will be keen to regroup after unconvincing run chases, which featured a series of soft dismissals, turning routine pursuits into uncomfortable exercises.
Summarised scorecards
St Andrew’s School 142/6 (Johnathan Hickley 58, Dean Katzin 39; Wilrigh Mostert 2/25); Kalahari 68/10 (Shane Corner 25; Nikhil Sukraj 4/15, Erhard Barends 2/15). St Andrew’s School won by 74 runs.
St Patrick’s Christian Brothers College 80 (Kieran Adams 29, Extras 25; Hendri Kemp 3/12, Thian Labuschagne 2/13); Hoërskool Rustenburg 81/5 (Tristan van der Linde 28; Gildo Masum 2/8, Otlwile Diphokoja 2/24). Hoërskool Rustenburg won by five wickets.
Trio 82/10 (Iwan du Plessis 25; Damian Kruger 4/11, Ruhann Steenkamp 2/22, Tlhoni Thabatha 2/26); Potchefstroom Gimnasium 86/5 (Bennet Keet 20*, Henré Cronje 18*; Zothile Zwane 2/19, Pedri Wilken 2/26). Potchefstroom Gimnasium won by five wickets.
