Hudson Park’s fierce bowling display skittled the Knights for 75 on Saturday afternoon, to claim their spot in the T20 Schools Challenge semi-finals.
With the Lions (St Stithians) sealing a semi-final spot with their third win in the morning session, the rest of the teams would need to fight it out for a playoff spot.
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Based on earlier results, a battle for supremacy in Group B took place between the Knights (St Andrews) and Coastal Focus (Hudson Park).
Coastal Focus would have to win their match and hope that the Titans (Centurion Highschool) beat the Dolphins (Glenwood) to qualify for the semi-finals.
The Titans’ hopes to continue in the competition was ended by the Cobras (Wynberg Boys’ High School), who won their match against Inland Focus (Prestige College) and qualified as the second-placed team in Group A.
It was a low-scoring afternoon, as Hudson Park posted 117-3, thanks to a fourth-wicket stand of 68 runs between Sinethemba Qeshile (41 off 51 balls) and allrounder Nonelela Yikha (21).
Pheku Moletsane was responsible for throttling Coastal Focus, removing the opening pair and ending with figures of 2-11.
The Knights crumbled quickly, losing eight wickets for 60 runs. Three wickets from Bradley Mauer (4-24), two scalps from Jason Niemand (2-12) and two run-outs, set the tone for Coastal Focus before Akhona Mnyaka (2-20) picked up the final wicket as they skittled St Andrews for 75 (13.1).
The loss did not hamper the Knights’ chances of qualifying, as they finished second in Group B, having won their previous two matches.
In the other match in Stellenbosch, Centurion High School knocked out Glenwood High School by claiming a 21-run victory, despite a brave 41 off 38 balls by Jaden Hendrikse. The loss for the Dolphins and the win for Coastal Focus meant that Glenwood would lose out on a semi-final spot.
In Franschhoek, the Cobras claimed a semi-final spot by cruising past Inland Focus’ 101-8. Cedric Landers’ 41-ball 52, coupled with a 100-run opening stand with Ebrahiem Sama (43 off 49 balls) spearheaded a nine-wicket win for Wynberg Boys’ High as they ended second in Group A.
The Knights vs Coastal Focus scorecard
Titans vs Dolphins scorecard
Cobras vs Inland Focus scorecard
Photo: Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images
