Waterkloof secures tense win over PBHS
Hoërskool Waterkloof’s bowlers did an exceptional job defending what might have seemed like too small of a target in a hard-fought contest against Pretoria Boys High on Saturday.
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The Klofie bowlers held their nerves to successfully defend 238, eventually beating Boys High by just seven runs. It was a first loss for PBHS in the new league season.
After finding themselves in a heap of trouble early on, Waterkloof middle-order batsman, Riley Miller, stepped up to the plate and did a superb job of steadying their innings while taking the game away from Boys High.
He contributed an expertly paced 106 from only 100 deliveries, striking nine fours and three sixes, and combined nicely with the Klofies’ new addition to the lower middle order, Rico van der Walt. They shared a vital stand of 105 runs, of which Van der Walt made 30.
Boys High’s Connor Hall grabbed the spotlight with the ball. He made the Waterkloof batsmen sweat for their runs and finished with 3 for 39 from nine overs. He was well supported by Nicholas Rossouw, who once again delivered with the ball, taking 2 for 29.
The batting conditions appeared to have eased as the match progressed, with Boys High scoring freely early on in their innings. The opening pair, Marc van der Merwe and Patrick Mouton, laid a solid platform with a 53-run partnership, which included 28 for Van der Merwe. Mouton went on to top score with a mature 55 runs.
Middle-order batsman Tim Gordon chipped in with a well-played 48, but the Klofie bowlers bowled a nagging line and length to slow down the run rate significantly. All-rounder Wian Ruthven, who always seems to find a way to contribute, excelled with the ball, picking up 2 for 32 in 10 tight overs.
Meanwhile, Die Hoërskool Menlopark scraped by Hoërskool Garsfontein‘s Ysbere by the tightest of margins in their league clash on Saturday. The Parkies’ batsmen did just enough to make it across the finishing line with only one wicket standing.
Their successful run chase owed a lot to an unbeaten 48 from Wian van Deventer, who steadily guided Menlo to victory. Steve Stolk launched a few big bombs in an innings of 30, while Matt van der Westhuizen, also, made 30.
Once again, the Ysbere’s Eckardt Struwig delivered the goods, knocking over 3/36. Xander Venter backed him up with two wickets of his own, as the pair nearly got the Garsies over the line. Jarred Carr (47) and Ettienne du Toit (37) led the Garsie batting effort.
However, they struggled to deal with an exceptional spell from Pierre de Villiers, who proved to be Garsfontein’s Achilles heel. He claimed four wickets, while Ewald Meyer also got in on the act, sending three three Garsie batsmen packing.
Summarised scorecards
Waterkloof 238 (Riley Miller 106, Rico van der Walt 30, Divan Behrens 27, Darius Maritz 22, Johan Feuth 21; Connor Hall 3/35, Nicholas Rossouw 2/29); Pretoria Boys High 231/7 (Patrick Mouton 55, Tim Gordon 48, Greydon Lubbe 35, Marc van der Merwe 28, Nicholas Rossouw 25; Wian Ruthven 2/32). Waterkloof won by seven runs.
Garsfontein 201 (Jarred Carr 45, Ettienne du Toit 37, Wikus du Preez 35, Extras 31; Pierre de Villiers 4/39, Ewald Meyer 3/31, Steve Stolk 2/21); Menlopark 202/9 (Wian van Deventer 48*, Steve Stolk 30, Matt van der Westhuizen 30, Willem Sevenster 21; Echardt Struwig 3/36, Xander Venter 2/22). Menlopark won by one wicket.
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