St Andrew’s School wins Free State Switch Schools SA20
St Andrew’s School vs Hoërskool Witteberg
The hosts, St Andrew’s School, won the toss and elected to bat first against Hoërskool Witteberg on Vossie’s Field in the semi-finals of the Free State’s Switch Schools SA20 – Volume Two competition on Saturday, in Bloemfontein.
They plundered a high score to place the Bethlehem school under heavy pressure and then followed up with a strong effort in the field to win by six wickets and qualify for the final.
Anru Erasmus impressed with 2/29 in four overs for Witteberg, but Saints galloped their way to a staunch 210/4 after 20 overs.
After a 92-run opening stand, Jonathan Hickley was dismissed for a hasty 51 runs from just 22 balls. His knock had included six fours and two sixes.
His fellow opener, Dean Katzin, was the top scorer of the match. He struck six fours in an undefeated 71 off 53.
Towards the end of the innings, Schalk van Rensburg blasted three fours and three maximums as he charged to 42 not out from only 19 deliveries.
Witteberg’s run chase was dismantled quickly by the St Andrew’s bowlers. The Bethlehem boys had a few middle order batsmen reach the teens, but they were unable to get the runs flowing.
In at nine, Tian Jordaan, showed some fight, cracking two sixes in an unbeaten 24 off 18.
Meanwhile, Erhard Barends was clinical for Saints, snaring 3/13 in four overs. Schalk van Rensburg looked good, too, claiming 2/14 in three overs. while Nijhil Sukraj came on late and helped to close out the game by picking up 2/24 in four overs.
After 18.3 overs, Witteberg was all out for 95.
Grey College vs Hoërskool Trio (Kroonstad) (20-overs)
Due to scheduling issues, the second semi-final was not played. As a result, Hoërskool Trio advanced to the final to face St Andrew’s.
St Andrew’s School vs Hoërskool Trio (20-over)
In the title game, Hoërskool Trio won the toss and chose to bat first on Vossie’s Field.
They were met by a strong showing from St Andrew’s School, whose desire to repeat as the regional champion was evident. A cohesive all-round effort lifted the Bloemfontein side to an emphatic six-wicket win.
Trio lost four wickets before they had reached double figures, with Erhard Barends continuing his fantastic form and picking up three of them. He went on to return 4/38 from four overs. The other four Saints’ bowlers chipped in with a wicket each, while the home side also executed two run outs.
Robbie van der Vyver, batting sixth in the order, delivered an exciting display of power hitting, smashing 50 off only 21 deliveries, five of which he powered for six and another three for four.
Unfortunately for the visitors from Kroonstad, his defiant effort made up more than half their total as they were dismissed in double-quick time, all out for 95 in only 13.2 overs.
When St Andrew’s batted, each of the four bowlers used by Trio picked up a wicket, but they had too few runs to defend.
Third man in, FG Botha, tallied four fours in a rapid 35 off 24 balls, while opener, Jonathan Hickley, knocked 21 off 22. Grové du Preez hammered four fours in an impactful 20 off 10.
It took Saints 12 overs to overhaul Trio’s total and with that, they retained the title of Free State Schools SA20 champions.
Their journey in the competition continues in January, in Potchefstroom, which hosts the next stage of the playoffs.
Summarised Scorecards
St. Andrew’s School 210/4 (Dean Katzin 71, Jonathan Hickley 51, Schalk van Rensburg 42*; Anru Erasmus 2/29); Hoërskool Witteberg 95/10 (Tian Jordaan 24*; Erhard Barends 3/13, Schalk van Rensburg 2/14, Nikhil Sukraj 2/24). St. Andrew’s won by 115 runs.
Hoërskool Trio 95/10 (Robbie van der Vyver 50; Erhard Barends 4/38); St. Andrew’s School 96/4 (FG Botha 35, Jonathan Hickley 21, Grové du Preez 20). St. Andrew’s won by six wickets.
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