Bishops Diocesan College are the inaugural Schools SA20 boys’ champions after beating St David’s Marist Inanda by 99 runs at Tuks Oval on Saturday.

Following four days of schools cricket featuring the best-of-the-best boys and girls teams from across the country, the boys from Cape Town emerged on top after an engrossing final.

St David’s captain Samrat Basu won the toss and elected to field first, with SA U19 batsman Adnaan Lagadien and Samuel Stavely-Alexander opening the batting for the Capetonians.

The pair made a rapid start before SA U19 bowler Jason Rowles had Stavely-Alexander (15 off 15) caught on the long-on boundary by Armaan Manack, leaving the score 31-1.

Bishops captain James Robb-Quinlan joined Lagadien and they added 26 runs before Lagadien (22 off 19) skied a pull shot which St David’s keeper Kamogelo Phiri snaffled.

Robb-Quinlan (26 off 23) was next to be dismissed with the score on 75 in the 11th over, after an excellent Phiri stumping off Hayden Campbell’s medium pace.

Campbell (3-43) also claimed the wickets of big-hitting all-rounders Thaafier Japhta (21 off 23) and Waco Bassick (17 off 11) to leave Bishops on 121-5.

But Litha Mbiko (22 off 16) provided the impetus they needed to post 168-7, and was ably supported by cameos from Alexander Vintcent (eight off four) and Michael Kruiskamp (18* off eight).

Rowles and fellow SA Schools opener Armaan Manack opened the batting for St David’s.

Michael Kruiskamp (1-10) got the early breakthrough, with Rowles caught behind by Robb-Quinlan.

Phiri joined Armaan Manack at the wicket and promptly smashed a maximum before Bassick trapped him in-front for nine off 12 balls, with Morteza Manack joining his twin brother at the crease.

Their partnership lasted two overs before leg-spinner Julian Pilkington dismissed the set Manack (22 off 20) and St David’s captain Samrat Basu for a for a first-ball duck to leave them on 50-4.

That became 52-6 when Morteza Manack (six off nine) and Hayden Campbell (two off three) fell to Raa’id Arendse (2-8) and a Kruiskamp-Robb-Quinlan run out respectively.

The final four wickets – of Jared Stern (six off 10), Roberto Mariano (two off five), Michael Smithyman (four off three) and Kyle Butler (two off four) – fell in quick succession, handing Bishops the title of first-ever Schools SA20 boys champions.

Bishops Diocesan College 168-7 (20 overs)
James Robb-Quinlan 26, Adnaan Lagadien 22, Litha Mbiko 22; Hayden Campbell 3-43, Kyle Butler 2-21
St David’s Marist Inanda 69 (12.2 overs)
Armaan Manack 22; Julian Pilkington 3-12, Raa’id Arendse 2-8)
Bishops won by 99 runs

Award winners
Player of the Tournament: James Robb-Quinlan (Bishops Diocesan College) – 160 runs and four dismissals
Batsman of the Tournament: Adnaan Lagadien (Bishops Diocesan College) – 170 runs
Bowler of the Tournament: Julian Pilkington (Bishops Diocesan College) – 11 wickets
Spirit of Cricket Award: St Andrew’s School Bloemfontein

In the girls tournament final, Steyn City School’s Karabo Meso smashed 117* in their 61-run win against Saint’s Christian School from Potchefstroom.