St Andrew’s School, the defending Free State Schools SA20 champion, won by a handsome 152-run margin at Hoërskool Jim Fouché (JF) on Friday, with their opening batsmen setting up victory, thanks to an explosive partnership.
Schalk van Rensburg smashed six sixes and eight fours in an aggressive knock of 109 off only 52 deliveries, while Erhard Barends hit nine fours and three sixes in an electric 86 off 51 as the duo posted a hefty 201 runs for the first wicket.
After 20 overs, Saints had tallied 245/3, batting at 12.25 runs per over.
Zeke Cloete led JF’s bowlers, recording 2/39 from four overs.
Emulating St Andrew’s, Jim Fouché’s best partnership came from their opening pair, but it was a modest 29 runs between Joden Vorster, who top-scored with 17, and Ruan Kleyn, who made 13.
St Andrew’s, though, claimed wickets regularly, and after 16.2 overs, JF was all out for 93.
Opening bowler Erhard Barends followed up his fine innings with 3/23 from four overs, while Reuben van Rensburg got stuck into the home side’s tail, snapping up 3/18.
When Hoërskool Bethlehem Voortrekker hosted St Dominic’s College, the visitors from Welkom decided to bat first after the coin flipped in their favour, but were troubled by Vuyo Maqhubu, who was on fire. In four overs, he inflicted major damage, capturing 5/21.
Opening batsman Remoratile Mokoena hammered two sixes and four fours in his 38 to top-score for the visitors, but no one else made it past 15 as St Dominic’s was restricted to 108/8 from their 20 overs.
Voortrekker’s opening batsmen then set their side on course for victory. Janno Olivier struck 31 off 27, while Vuyo Maqhubu produced a fine follow-up to his excellent bowling, whipping eight fours to the boundary in his 39 off 34, which led to him being declared the man of the match.
Lathi Tole, who picked up 1/8 in two overs, was the lone St Dominic’s bowler to concede less than a run-a-ball, while Tafari Khobane claimed 1/7 in one over as the home side charged to victory in only 13 overs, reaching 109/4 to win the match by six wickets.
Hoërskool Fichardtpark hosted the Botshabelo Hub in Bloemfontein and batted confidently after winning the toss.
Captain and opening batsman Diederik de Vos made his side’s intentions clear from the get-go, sending four balls to the boundary in his quickfire 38 off 26 deliveries.
Heinrich Kemp and Neven Olivier then shared a swift 116-run stand off only 63 balls for the third wicket, with Kemp striking seven fours in his 63 off 46, while Olivier contributed 53 off 32, with seven fours and two sixes, which helped to power the home side to 236/6 from their 20 overs.
Opening bowler Kgotso Khomoatsana was expensive, going for 57 runs from his four overs, but he also removed two batsmen. The Hub’s bowling was loose, however, with 44 wides comprising most of the 54 extras that boosted Fichies‘ total.
Faced with a daunting run chase, the Botshabelo Hub was unable to launch a meaningful challenge. Lehlohonolo Sezilo, who opened the innings, and number five batsman, Valery Faba, shared the top score of 18, with Sezilo not out when the Hub’s innings ended in the 17th over for 78.
That left Fichardtpark with an emphatic 158-run win.
Neven Olivier picked up the man of the match award, adding a return of 3/10 from 2.3 overs to his half-century. Jayden Ontong stymied scoring in his economical 2/9 from four overs, and Christiaan Myburgh sent down only one over but chipped in with 2/8.
Summarised Scorecards:
St Andrew’s School 245/3 (Schalk van Rensburg 109, Erhard Barends 86, Grové du Preez 26*; Zeke Cloete 2/39). Hoërskool Jim Fouché 93/10 (Joden Vorster 17; Reuben van Rensburg 3/18, Erhard Barends 3/23). St Andrew’s School won by 152 runs.
St Dominic’s College 108/8 (Remoratile Mokoena 38, Extras 30; Vuyo Maqhubu 5/21). Hoërskool Bethlehem Voortrekker 109/4 (Vuyo Maqhubu 39, Janno Oliver 31; Tafari Khobane 1/7). Voortrekker won by six wickets.
Hoërskool Fichardtpark 236/6 (Heinrich Kemp 63, Extras 54, Neven Olivier 53, Diederik de Vos 38; Kgotso Khomoatsana 2/57). Botshabelo Hub 78/10 (Lehlohonolo Sezilo 18*; Neven Olivier 3/10, Jayden Ontong 2/9, Christiaan Myburgh 2/8). Fichardtpark won by 158 runs.
