Playing at the Frank Reid Oval on Tuesday, Bishops bowled superbly to dismiss Langa Cricket Club for just 45 runs in their opening game of the Western Province rain Schools SA20 competition.
Neo Milne knocked over 3/3 in three overs for Bishops, while Matthew Schultz snared 2/11 and Bulela Klaas snaffled 2/18 in four overs each.
Langa’s opening batsman, Thulani Bici, was the only one to move beyond single figures, striking two fours in his 12 runs off 13 balls.
Set a low total for victory, Bishops duly won, but not without a hiccup or two. They lost five wickets along the way before securing victory in the tenth over of their reply.
Max Morgan was their top scorer, with a modest run-a-ball 17, while E. Mjuza enjoyed a fruitful two-over spell, snapping up 2/9.
In a northern suburbs’ 20-over derby, Hoërskool Durbanville opted to bat first after winning the toss at Hoërskool Bellville.
Durbies‘ opening duo gave the visitors a steady start, with Liam Swart contributing 16 runs to the pair’s 33-run first-wicket stand, while Juan van Coller went on to score 26 off 18 deliveries.
However, it was the fifth-wicket partnership that proved to be Durbanville’s longest and best. Number seven batsman, Johan Potgieter, landed some lusty blows, smashing two fours and two sixes in an unbeaten 31 off 28, while Braam Smit, batting at six, hit three fours and a six in his 21 off 17 as they shared a 41-run stand, which was broken on the final ball of the innings.
Durbanville finished with 121/7 despite a devastating four overs from Tristan Hanekom, who captured 4/9.
When Bellville replied, Durbies’ best bowler was Kruger Kirsten, with 2/12, and the visitors claimed only five wickets. However, they did a good job in the field to restrict the hosts to 108/5 in reply and record a hard-fought 13-run victory.
Hoërskool Bellville opening batsman Jay-C Dikella put up a resilient 31 off 40, but struggled to find someone to share in a meaningful partnership.
Towards the end, Jordan Holtman, batting at five, scored 21 not out off 29 balls, but Bellville needed to accelerate, and they were unable to do so.
Summarised Scorecards:
Langa Cricket Club 45/10 (Thulani Bici 12; Neo Milne 3/3, Matthew Schultz 2/11, Bulela Klaas 2/18). Diocesan College 47/5 (Max Morgan 17*; E. Mjuza 2/9). Bishops won by five wickets.
Hoërskool Durbanville 121/7 (Johan Potgieter 31*, Juan van Coller 26, Braam Smit 21; Tristan Hanekom 4/9). Hoërskool Bellville 108/5 (Jay-C Dikella 31, Jordan Holtman 21*; Kruger Kirsten 2/12). Durbanville won by 13 runs.
