Playing at home on Friday, Rondebosch Boys’ High began their Western Province rain Schools SA20 campaign with a resounding 124-run triumph over Parklands College.
Batting first, Bosch opening batsman, Luca Ghignone, went hard at the Parklands College bowlers, clubbing seven fours and four sixes in a fiery unbeaten 101 off only 60 balls.
Batting at three, Eli Aufrichtig contributed 37 runs to the pair’s third-wicket partnership that yielded 124 runs off just 66 deliveries.
Matthew Brooks, who entered at the fall of the third wicket, increased the run rate even further, slamming five fours in his unbeaten 32 off only 14 deliveries, which boosted Rondebosch to 211/3 from their 20 overs.
Sabelo Ntuli was the best of the Parklands’ bowlers, picking up 2/34.
In their reply, only the visitors’ openers mustered double figures. Joshua Neil excelled, making 46 off 51, while Bokomoso Lukhele garnered 21 off 27.
However, after their 47-run opening stand ended, Rondebosch tightened their grip on the game and limited the visitors to 87/5.
Eli Aufrichtig and Rondebosch captain Schalk Fourie claimed two wickets apiece, with Aufrichtig going for 13 runs and Fourie for 17.
In a Somerset showdown, Hoërskool Parel Vallei hosted Somerset College on Thursday.
Told to bat first, Somerset College responded well, with Jono Searle and Buhle Mfunelwa combining for an 83-run second-wicket partnership. Searle stroked four fours in his 37 off 43 balls, while Mfunelwa top-scored, hitting six fours and two sixes in his 54 off only 36 deliveries.
Theo van der Walt found his rhythm late in Somerset College’s innings, knocking over 3/22 in three overs, while Connor Bowman chipped in with 2/19 across four as the visitors totalled 136/6.
Parel Vallei’s subsequent run chase came up short because of a lack of partnerships. Divan Sander, with 26 off 22 balls, was their leading run scorer in a total of 102/8, which left Somerset College with a 34-run win.
One of the leading reasons for the home side’s struggles was Johann Rauch, who nabbed a decisive 4/12 in four overs.
Summarised Scorecards:
Rondebosch Boys’ High 211/3 (Luca Ghignone 101*, Eli Aufrichtig 37, Matthew Brooks 32*, Extras 27; Sabelo Ntuli 2/34). Parklands College 87/5 (Joshua Neil 46*, Bokomoso Lukhele 21; Eli Aufrichtig 2/13, Schalk Fourie 2/17). Rondebosch won by 124 runs.
Somerset College 136/6 (Buhle Mfunelwa 54, Jono Searle 37; Theo van der Walt 3/22, Connor Bowman 2/19). Hoërskool Parel Vallei 102/8 (Divan Sander 26; Johann Rauch 4/12). Somerset College won by 24 runs.
