The Gauteng schools cricket season came to an end last weekend with two great centuries and a major upset, writes THEO GARRUN.
King Edward’s Jason Bracher made 127 in his side’s 99-run win over St John’s, while Levert Manje of Jeppe was 107 not out against St Alban’s. The shock result was Pretoria Boys’ High’s 88-run win over St Stithians.
Bracher, who has been in the runs all season, was in devastating mood as he led his side’s recovery from the disappointment of being eliminated from the T20 Johnny Waite Knockout competition earlier in the week.
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He was well supported by Joshua Streak (87) and Mickey Copeland (49 not out) as KES put on an impressive 320-6. It was always going to be too much for St John’s to chase down and they were bowled out for 221. Only Jack Lees (60) offered some resistance for St John’s. Obakeng Maila (4-55) did the damage with the ball for KES.
Jeppe’s Levert Manje got his first ton of the season after posting several 80s and 90s earlier on. Jeppe accumulated a massive 356-4, with Brayden Hicks (65) and Dylan Nicholas (63) also contributing valuable runs. In reply, St Alban’s capitulated and were all out for just 68, with Zach Sibanda taking 3-5 and Shaveer Khan 3-16.
St Stithians, who won the Johnny Waite Trophy last week, may have had their minds on Wednesday’s Lions franchise showdown with Potchefstroom Volkskool when they came up against Pretoria Boys’ High at the weekend. Boys High raced to 253-6, with Nathan Meyer getting 88 and Ruan van Rooyen 62. Van Rooyen then took four wickets as Saints were dismissed for 165.
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In other action, Parktown ended their season on a high note with a win over Randburg Hoërskool.
The Lions Franchise final is one of three Schools T20 playoffs scheduled for this week, with the Knights and Warriors’ finals on Thursday and Friday.
Last weekend, Hoërskool Waterkloof won the Titans franchise title to join St Charles College (Dolphins) as schools who have so far qualified for the Schools T20 finals in Pretoria from 15-17 March.
Scores
Jeppe 356-4 (Brayden Hicks 65, Dylan Nicholas 63, Breidyn Schaper 30, Levert Manje 105 not out, Linda Ndlovu 52)
St Alban’s 68 (Zach Sibanda 3-5, Shaveer Khan 3-16)
Jeppe won by 288 runs
Pretoria Boys’ High 253-6 (Anre Schutte 34, Wald Truter 36, Nathan Meyer 88, Ruan van Rooyen 62; Sebastain de Oliviera 4-39)
St Stithians 165 (Tim Ladner 25; Danie van der Merwe 4-55, Ruan van Rooyen 4-32).
Pretoria Boys’ High won by 88 runs
King Edward 320-6 (Jason Bracher 127, Joshua Streak 87, Mickey Copeland 49 not out; Jack Lees 2-38)
St John’s 221 (Jack Lees 60; Obakeng Maila 4-55)
KES won by 99 runs
Photo: Theo Garrun
