With two rounds to go, race to the Finsbury A final still wide open
The past weekend’s results, highlighted by Hoërskool Kempton Park’s emphatic victory over Hoërskool Eldoraigne, have blown the race for a place in the Finsbury League A Section final wide open.
While a Kempton Park win over the Eldos was not unexpected, the scale of the victory and the manner in which it was achieved certainly was.
They delivered a ruthless display, skittling Eldoraigne for a paltry 38 before cruising to a nine-wicket bonus-point victory at a crucial juncture of the competition.
That result leaves Kempies on 10 log points, level with Die Hoërskool Menlopark, as they prepare for their toughest test to date: a clash with the defending champion, Hoërskool Waterkloof, at the André van der Walt Oval in Pretoria on Sunday.
Waterkloof currently sits comfortably at the top of the standings and remains unbeaten in the competition. Last weekend, they beat Hoërskool Rustenburg by five wickets on Saturday, and followed that with a dramatic one-wicket triumph over Grey College on Sunday. Those results underline both their consistency and composure under pressure.
Sunday’s forthcoming match sets up an intriguing contest between the in-form bowling pair of Kempies’ Willem van den Berg and Stian van Breda and Waterkloof’s experienced middle order. With a “must-win” label firmly attached to the visitors from Kempton Park, the ingredients are in place for a compelling contest.
Menlopark, meanwhile, returns to action on their home ground after suffering a seven-wicket defeat away to Potchefstroom Volkskool. Menlo hosts Rustenburg, who are winless and desperate for points. A significant boost for the Rusties, however, will be the return of Callie Fryer.
Rustenburg was without their strike bowler against Waterkloof because Fryer was making his first-class debut for the North West Dragons over the past weekend. His duel with Monré Koekemoer, Jacques de Villiers, and Jan-Willem Pienaar in the Parkies‘ middle order, on the traditionally bouncy Pretoria wickets, could be one of the highlights of the round.
In Centurion, Hoërskool Eldoraigne welcomes Potchefstroom Volkskool for another pivotal encounter. The Volkies are only one point behind Kempton Park and Menlopark in the standings, and a victory over last year’s runner-up would put them in a strong position to challenge for a place in the final, which they last reached in 2024.
For Eldoraigne, the situation is far more precarious. Still without a win, they find themselves locked in a battle with Rustenburg to avoid relegation, and they have only two rounds remaining to edge ahead of the North West side.
