St David’s Marist Inanda recorded convincing wins over Waterstone College and the Soweto Hub on Friday to book a spot in the Central Gauteng Lions‘ rain Schools SA20 semifinals.
St David’s rolled to a 105-run win over Waterstone before outplaying the Soweto Hub by 10 wickets in their second match.
Sohail Seonath did not hesitate to bat first when he won the toss in their contest against Waterstone on the La Valla Oval at St David’s.
He then led the charge as his side marched to 171/6 in 20 overs. Waterstone lost two early wickets, staggering to 66/7 in reply.
Opening the innings, Seonath set up his side for a healthy total with a fluid 55-ball 80. He prised the game away from Waterstone with a wonderful 123-run second-wicket partnership with Josh King, who contributed a vital 40 from 35 balls. Both batsmen fell in the 16th over, two balls apart. By then, however, they had batted the visitors out of the game.
When King exchanged his bat for the ball, he proved to be just as dangerous. Opening the bowling, he dismissed Jared Damons with his sixth delivery. Things got worse for the visitors when Jatin Kanti was run out by Benjamin Meyersfield four balls later.
Snothile Bhembe held things together for Waterstone with a circumspect 24 from 52 balls. Unfortunately, his stubborn effort didn’t get them far, but he was the only Waterstone batsman to exit single figures.
King was the most successful bowler for St David’s with 2/9 in three overs. Kairav Koobair, Kai Davis, and Matthew Nicholson chipped in with a wicket each.
St David’s Soweto Hub
St David’s next made a 16 km drive to Northcliff High, where they powered to a comprehensive 10-wicket win over the Soweto Hub in the quarterfinals.
The toss went the Hub’s way. However, their decision to bat first was met by a disciplined St David’s bowling attack, which bowled out the Soweto Hub for only 51 runs in 19.2 overs. It took St David’s just 5.1 overs to get to 52/0 and claim their spot in the final four.
Omphile Skhosana showed his teammates how to bat on the surface, making a patient 24 from 31 balls, but none followed his example. The Hub had hope as long as he was in the middle, but his resistance ended after 8.4 overs, and no other batsmen reached the 10-run mark.
Their players struggled to deal with the St David’s bowlers, but none troubled them as much as Benjamin Meyersfield. He captured three wickets without conceding a run from his three overs, which was enough to earn him the Player of the Match Award.
King and Kairav Koobair claimed two wickets apiece, while Kai Davis and Maru Challies each grabbed a single scalp.
King and Neo Qhu were tasked with chasing down the small target, and they did not disappoint, completing the chase in the powerplay. In an unbroken 52-run opening partnership, King raced to 27 off 18 balls, while Qhu weighed in with 17 from 13.
Summarised Scorecards:
St David’s Marist Inanda 171/6 (Sohail Seonath 80, Josh King 42, Benjamin Meyersfield 15; Adrian Bosch 4/21, Ushman Ahmed 2/33). Waterstone College 66/7 (Snothile 24, Ushman Ahmed 9*; Daniel King 2/9, Kairav Koobair 1/10, Matthew Nicholson 1/11). St David’s Marist Inanda won by 105 runs.
Soweto Hub 51/10 (Omphile Skhosana 24, Samkelo Monare 7; Benjamin Meyersfield 3/0, Kairav Koobair 2/7, Daniel King 2/14). St David’s Marist Inanda 52/0 (Josh King 27*, Neo Qhu 17*; Musa Tshabalala 0/16, Khaukelo Mafereka 0/36). St David’s Marist Inanda won by 10 wickets.
