Opener Noah du Plooy got Wynberg Boys’ High off to a strong start in their Western Province rain Schools SA20 quarterfinal against Fairmont High at Fairbairn College on Thursday.
Wynberg batted after winning the toss, and Du Plooy met the challenge by thumping five fours and three sixes in the innings’ top score of 71 runs off 54 balls.
Third to enter the fray, Matthew Mills struck three fours and a maximum in his run-a-ball 40, and the pair combined for an 85-run second-wicket stand.
Niyaaz Allie, at four, remained not out with a hasty 26 off 16 as Wynberg posted a solid 171/3.
Fairmont’s opening bowler Zach Woolstencroft continued his good work in the tournament, returning a tidy 1/22 from four overs.
Needing to bat at 8.6 runs per over to win, Fairmont’s batsmen failed to fire. Only opener Cayden Kolbe and Shravan Ishwarlall, batting at nine, made it into double figures.
Kolbe entertained with three fours in his 17 off 21 deliveries, while Ishwarlall also struck three fours and top-scored, finishing unbeaten 18 off 26 balls.
Niyaaz Allie was the primary architect of Fairmont’s downfall, snaring a destructive 5/11 in four overs. Azam Saiet chipped in with 2/5 towards the end of the innings, and Fairmont was restricted to just 68/9.
Victory to Wynberg Boys’ High by 103 runs.
Summarised Scorecard:
Wynberg Boys’ High 171/3 (Noah du Plooy 71, Matthew Mills 40, Niyaaz Allie 26*, Yaqeen Gamieldien 25; Zach Woolstencroft 1/22). Fairmont High 68/9 (Shravan Ishwarlall 18*; Niyaaz Allie 5/11, Azam Saiet 2/5). Wynberg Boys’ High won by 103 runs.
