Van Biljon, Weyers rocket Hans Moore to Eastern’s Schools SA20 title
Remarkable, memorable, and utterly destructive are some of the descriptions one could use about Xavier van Biljon’s match-winning innings in the Easterns’ final of the Switch Schools SA20 – Volume Two competition.
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With defending champions Hoërskool Kempton Park already eliminated, a new champion waited to be crowned when Hoërskool Hans Moore took on the unpredictable Hoërskool Marais Viljoen at St Benedict’s College on Friday afternoon.
Thanks to Van Biljon’s batting heroics, it was the Moories who lifted the trophy after an emphatic 10-wicket victory.
They took to the field first and their spin-heavy bowling attack restricted Marais Viljoen to just 123 all out. Seamer Isaac Aube led the way, though, snaring 2/15. He was well supported by Jack Bevolo, who returned 2/22, and Kearan Weyers, who picked up 2/28.
Jared Mentz was the top scorer for Marais Viljoen, with 29, while Rieshaeel Hashim chipped in with 25 and Hendré Cilliers tallied 21, which helped the Alberton side to a moderate total, but one that they might have felt was enough to defend. It wasn’t.
Van Biljon was in a destructive mood. In just 29 balls, he blasted an astonishing 10 sixes and four fours, rocketing to an unbeaten 83, with 76 of his runs coming from boundaries.
His opening partner, Kearan Weyers, followed up his good bowling performance with a solid batting effort. He wasn’t as explosive as Van Biljon – he didn’t need to be – but he was, nonetheless, dominant, bounding along to 35 from 23 balls as the Marais Viljoen bowlers were put to the sword.
With clean ball-striking and power-hitting, the Hans Moore openers flew along at almost 15 runs per over, securing victory when they reached 125 without loss after only 8.3 overs.
Summarised scorecard
Marais Viljoen 123 (Jared Mentz 29, Rieshaeel Hashim 25, Hendré Cilliers 21; Issac Aube 2/15, Jake Bevolo 2/22, Kearan Weyers 2/28; Hans Moore 125/0 (Xavier van Biljon 83*, Kearan Weyers 35*; Daymian Coetzee 0/12). Hans Moore won by 10 wickets.
