Hoërskool Waterkloof delivered a confident all-around performance to record a comfortable six-wicket win with 28 balls to spare against Die Hoërskool Menlopark in their Rain Schools SA20 Derby Series match at the Menlo Oval on Tuesday evening.
Vorster de Villiers claimed early wickets for the visitors before his captain, Jean Cloete, ran through Menlopark’s middle order to set up the victory.
The derby series was a recent addition to the Schools SA20 calendar. Matches are stand-alone contests underpinned by school pride, mutual respect, and the will to win by either side.
Cloete, who stood in for Franco Schmidt as captain, would have chosen to bat first had the toss gone his way. It didn’t, however, and the hosts visited the crease first.
Waterkloof responded with a polished bowling performance to restrict Menlopark to 105/7 in 20 overs. The visitors then needed a mere 15.2 overs to reach 107/4 and claim victory.
Cloete handed the new ball to Vorster de Villiers, and the paceman made an immediate impact, dislodging Andre Kruyshaar with the second delivery of the match. The only blemish from the over was a single run he conceded off a wide delivery.
Johan Liebenberg, who bowled the second over, kept things tight, allowing only two runs to place the home side under early pressure.
De Villiers capitalised on that and claimed his second wicket of the match in the following over. After the powerplay, the hosts had battled their way to 13/2.
Jacques de Villiers, with an unbeaten 36, mounted a fightback for Menlo and shared in two fighting partnerships. He and Juan Lombard, who made 26, added 21 for the fourth wicket, while De Villiers and Jovan Hartman, who made 13, produced the innings’ best stand of 55.
Cloete, however, helped Waterkloof to take control of the middle overs with an outstanding three-over spell, capturing wickets at crucial moments to keep the hosts on the back foot, on his way to a decisive return of 4/13 from three overs.
Vorster, who set the tone up front, concluded with a sparkling 2/14 from four overs, while Ruan de Meyer removed Lombaard and picked up 1/9 in two.
Jordan van Eck and Verster Richter did their best to ensure that Waterkloof did not run away with the contest, with the pair claiming a combined four wickets between them. Menlo, though, had scored too few runs to stop Klofies.
Liam Breedt led the way for the visitors, weighing in with a flowing and unbeaten 41 off 27 balls.
When he made his way to the crease, Waterkloof was on 47/2. Breedt helped them reset their radar with a 27-run third-wicket partnership with Juan Swart, who contributed 18 runs.
Menlopark might have fancied their chances of a fightback when Richter claimed two wickets in two balls in the 11th over, but Breedt took control of proceedings and shut the door on the home side.
Summarised Scorecard
Menlopark 105/7 (Jacques de Villiers 36*, Juan Lombaard 26; Jean Cloete 4/13, Vorster de Villiers 2/14). Waterkloof 107/4 (Liam Breedt 41*, Juan Swart 18; Jordan van Eck 2/7, Verster Richter 2/23). Waterkloof won by six wickets.
