Victories for Voortrekker, Witteberg and Jim Fouché in low-scoring clashes
St. Dominic’s College vs Hoërskool Bethlehem Voortrekker
On Saturday morning, playing at home, in Welkom, St Dominic’s College won the toss and opted to field first in their match against Hoërskool Bethlehem Voortrekker.
The fixture was supposed to be a 50-over match, but it ended up resembling a T20 as the bowlers seized the day and skittled the opposing batsmen in double quick time.
Onalenna Molale led the hosts’ bowling attack, knocking over 5/21 in six overs, while Mohammed Al Haddad also bowled six overs and claimed 3/31.
Voortrekker was deep in the mire on 19/6, but Jordan Buitendag and Thys Parsons, in at seven and eight respectively, mustered a 33-run seventh wicket partnership to take their side to 52/7. They hit two fours each, with the former tallying 17 runs off 20 balls, while the latter added 13 in a short nine-ball stay.
After only 16.2 overs, the visitors were bowled out for 85.
Chasing an unexceptional total for victory, St Dominic’s stumbled. Mohammed Al Haddad, who entered the fray at the fall of the first wicket, top-scored with 20 off 27, and led all players with his three fours. Around him, though, his teammates were knocked over like nine pins.
Thys Parsons bagged the best bowling figures of the match in only two overs, claiming 3/3, while Rodney Turner sent down eight overs and picked up 3/19.
Vlag Janse van Rensburg and Jordan Buitendag both chipped in with two wickets apiece as St Dominic’s was limited to only 65 all out, leaving Bethlehem Voortrekker with a 20-run victory.
Hoërskool Witteberg vs Hoërskool Fichardtpark
Playing at home on Saturday, Hoërskool Witteberg also chose to field after they won the toss against Hoërskool Fichardtpark. Thanks to the dominance exerted by each side’s fielders and bowlers, the match proved to be another short-lived 50-over bout.
Batting at three, captain Diederik de Vos top-scored for Fichies, hammering three fours in his 19 off 25 balls, but runs were hard to come by. Opener Damian Mulder, with 13, was the Bloemfontein school’s second-highest scorer.
Xander Fourie shone for Witteberg, sending three batsmen packing for 18 runs from his six overs. Anru Erasmus chipped in with 2/15 from three, Kyle Nel claimed a tidy 2/12 from four, and WJ Geldenhuis wrapped up the Fichardtpark innings with his 2/10 in 4.1 overs.
After only 20.1 overs, Fichardtpark was all out for 73.
In response, Witteberg initially struggled to get their run chase going. In the sixth over, they wobbled on 15/3. Enter Dumisani Johnson.
He punched two fours and smashed a six in an unbeaten 21 from 35 deliveries to guide the Bethlehem side to victory.
It took them 20.2 overs to post 74/5, thus giving them a five-wicket winning margin.
Hoërskool Jim Fouché vs Hoërskool Trio (Kroonstad)
In yet another short-lived 50-over battle on Saturday in the Free State, Hoërskool Jim Fouché (JF) also chose the field first option against Hoërskool Trio. That decision paid off.
Johan van Dyk was the pick of the hosts’ bowlers, cleaning out 4/31 in six overs, while Jean van Schalkwyk and Cobus Wilken chipped in with 2/19 and 2/1 respectively as Trio’s batsmen battled at the crease.
Last weekend, against Welkom Gimnasium, Wilken made history when he scored 192 off 128 balls, slamming a whopping 20 fours and seven sixes. With that supreme innings, he now holds the record for the highest individual score by a Jim Fouché batsman across all formats.
Caleb Butler, batting at seven, was one of only three Trio batsmen to reach double figures, with his 21 proving to be their highest score. Their innings was over after 20.1 overs, with the Kroonstad locals all out for 80.
Jim Fouché, counter to the narrative of the region’s other matches, looked comfortable out in the middle. They were, however, subjected to a scare before settling in, with both of their openers dismissed within the first seven balls of their innings, which left JF on 3/2.
Franco de Necker, batting at four, top-scored with an unbeaten 43 off 38, hitting four fours and a six, while Eckard Meyer, who preceded him to the crease, contributed 15 runs to their 57-run third wicket partnership.
Wilken arrived after Meyer’s departure, and quickly slashed three fours in an undefeated 15 off eight deliveries to help seal a seven-wicket win.
Summarised Scorecards
Hoërskool Bethlehem Voortrekker 85/10 (Extras 21; Onalenna Molale 5/21, Mohammed Al Haddad 3/31); St. Dominic’s College 65/10 (Mohammed Al Haddad 20; Thys Parsons 3/3, Rodney Turner 3/19, Vlag Janse van Rensburg 2/16, Jordan Buitendag 2/22). Bethlehem Voortrekker won by 20 runs.
Hoërskool Fichardtpark 73/10 (Xander Fourie 3/18, WJ Geldenhuis 2/10, Kyle Nel 2/12, Anru Erasmus 2/15); Hoërskool Witteberg 74/5 (Dumisani Johnson 21*; Juan Mostert 2/12, Dylan Gerener 2/23). Witteberg won by five wickets.
Hoërskool Trio (Kroonstad) 80/10 (Caleb Butler 21; Johan van Dyk 4/31, Cobus Wilken 2/1, Jean van Schalkwyk 2/19); Hoërskool Jim Fouché 81/3 (Franco de Necker 43*; DJ van Niekerk 2/22). Jim Fouché won by seven wickets.
