Van Zyl, Gordon score big for Garsies and Boys High
A large part of the Noordaal may have experienced showers over the course of Saturday, but the only rain the Titans Platinum League saw was that of runs.
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Reuben van Zyl of Hoërskool Garsfontein and Timothy Gordon from Pretoria Boys High School were mostly responsible for the downpour of runs.
Van Zyl struck his third century in this year’s league as Garsfontein smashed Die Hoërskool Menlopark out of the “big-four”, thumping the Parkies by 176 runs.
Gordon’s innings, on the other hand, helped Boys High force their way into the “big-four” with a memorable 102-run victory over Cornwall Hill College.
The Ysbere and Van Zyl were once again exceptional. The Garsie opening batsman exhibited sheer class with the biggest of his three centuries thus far. Facing only 119 deliveries and striking at 121, he smashed 18 fours and two sixes for his 144 before Parkie’s offspinner, Murray Hofmeyr, finally managed to get rid of him.
Hofmeyr, upon his return to the side, was his team’s best bowler on the day. Bowling his full quota of 10 overs, he snapped up two wickets and conceded only 55 runs. However, not even that could put a stop to the onslaught that followed from Xander Venter.
The all-rounder, coming in at five, also batted briskly. Venter scored at a run a ball and accelerated towards the end to achieve an unbeaten 92 runs. Together with Van Zyl, he took the Ysbere to a total of 361/5 in the allotted 50 overs.
The Parkies weren’t quite up to the challenge. Only Dian van Zyl managed to pass the 50 mark, having had to rebuild following two quick wickets upfront from Venter (2/27). Van Zyl worked hard at the crease and had Morné Koekemoer (33) and Jacques de Villiers (32) in support.
It wasn’t enough to counter Wikus du Preez, though. Du Preez finished the innings with figures of 3/15 in five overs, putting an end to the Parkies’ efforts of chasing the big total.
Gordon’s innings on home turf, at the Hofmeyr Oval, was similar to that of Van Zyl, and he even passed the 150-mark. He seemed in a hurry, smashing 13 fours and 12 sixes in his mammoth innings of 159 runs. Ethan Nel (56) was next best, with every other batter chipping in for the total of 364/8 by the end of 50 overs.
Boys High could not bowl the resilient Cornwall out, but managed to restrict them to 262/7. Joshua Hall (2/39) and Euan Gottfried (2/45) did the bulk of the damage, while Cornwall captain Ab Rasool was his side’s best performer. Not only did Rasool take four wickets (4/53), but he also scored an important 78 runs. Zander Davel scored 49, but in the end, it was not enough.
Hoërskool Eldoraigne persevered for a nail-biting two-wicket victory over Prestige College, at home in Centurion. Left-arm spinner, Benyael Morkel, led the way, collecting three wickets and costing only 29 runs in 10 overs. Mohau Mahalngu (53) and Omphile Maredi (47) did the hard yards to get Prestige to a modest total of 197/8, something to bowl at.
However, 54 from Ryno Mulder, alongside 40s from Jean du Randt (42) and Marinus Langerman (40), proved enough to get the side from Centurion over the line, albeit only just.
Summarised scorecards
Garsfontein 361/5 (Reuben van Zyl 144, Xander Venter 92, Arrie Verster 29, Charl van Staden 26, Extras 25; Murray Hofmeyr 2/55, James Bronkhorst 2/67); Menlopark 185 (Dian van Zyl 51, Morné Koekemoer 33, Jacques de Villiers 32; Wikus du Preez 3/15, Xander Venter 2/27). Garsfontein won by 176 runs.
Pretoria Boys High School 364/8 (Timothy Gordon 159, Ethan Nel 56, Pieter Steyn 30, Louis Kruyshaar 25, Extras 22, Tinashe Mbingo 21; Ab Rasool 4/53); Cornwall Hill College 262/7 (Ab Rasool 78, Zander Davel 49, Keagan van Wyk 39, Rourke de Lange 27, Layton Pullen 25, Extras 23; Joshua Hall 2/39, Euan Gottfried 2/45). Pretoria Boys High School won by 102 runs.
Prestige College 197/8 (Mohau Mahlangu 53, Omphile Maredi 47, Extras 31, Thabang Kutumela 21, Gift Mahlasedi 21; Benyael Morkel 3/29, Angus Myers 2/26, Cornell Cousins 2/48); Eldoraigne 198/8 (Ryno Mulder 54, Jean du Randt 42, Marinus Langerman 40, Rowan McClaren 21*; Lesedi Mabena 3/17, Omphile Maredi 3/43, Keamogetswe Semenya 2/43). Eldoraigne won by two wickets.
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