St Stithians were too strong for St Benedict’s, while Jeppe beat Queens and Potchefstroom Volkies on consecutive days, writes THEO GARRUN.
The schools cricket season in Joburg got off to an early start at the weekend, with St Stithians and Jeppe playing matches within days of their school terms resuming.
St Stithians, who don’t actually go back to school until next Tuesday, gave notice that they are going to be a side to watch this season when they beat St Benedict’s by 125 runs on Saturday.
Saints batted first and made 221-8 from their 50 overs. Liam Mostert was the top scorer with 89 while Jody De Sousa made 30. Bennies’ Troy Kyle got a five-for (5-37) and managed to rein in the scoring just when it looked like Saints at one stage were going to get in the region of 300.
The Bennies top order couldn’t get going against the Saints opening pair of Tristan Brooks and Matthew Lieberman, and they soon fell well behind the required run rate, a position from which their side never recovered. Ryan Maxwell (34) was the only St Benedict’s batsman who was able to accumulate some runs as they were eventually bowled out for 96 in the 36th over.
Lieberman was the pick of the St Stithians bowlers. He is pacey and he moved the ball around, finishing with figures of 3-15 in 10 overs. His fellow opener, Tristan Brooks, came back to wrap up the tail, taking the last three wickets in the 36th over to finish with figures of 3-24 from his seven overs.
Jeppe played two games over the weekend. On Saturday they met their Kensington neighbours, Queens High School, and beat them by three wickets. They bowled Queens out for 128, with their SA U19 spinner, Kgaudi Molefe, taking 3-21, and reached that target with seven wickets down. Dylan Nicholas, who is in Grade 10 and is still U16, made 54 on debut.
On Sunday Jeppe hosted Potchefstroom Volkskool and beat them by seven wickets. Molefe took three wickets again, as did Josh Taylor as they dismissed Potch for 125 runs. Jeppe only needed 29 overs to reach the target, as Breidyn Schaper produced a superb 68 not out while Levert Manje scored 26.
The local schools season get under way in earnest next Wednesday when the Johnny Waite Knockout competition resumes.
Fixtures
Redhill vs Queens
Maragon vs Fourways
St Peter’s vs Jeppe
Lenasia vs Trinityhouse
Randpark vs Noordheuwel
Beaulieu vs Randburg
Heronbridge vs Northcliff
Parktown vs Heronbridge.
Scoreboards
St Stithians 221-8 (Jordy De Sousa 30, Liam Mostert 89; Troy Kyle 5-37)
St Benedict’s 96 (Ryan Maxwell 34; Matthew Lieberman 3-15, Tristan Brooks 3-24, Sebastian D’ Oliviera 2-31)
St Stithians won by 86 runs
Queens 128 (Kgaudise Molefe 3-21)
Jeppe 127-7 (Dylan Nicholas 54, Linda Ndlovu 22)
Jeppe won by three wickets
Potchefstroom Volkskool 125 (Jaco Viljoen 31, Waldo Kemp 21; Josh Taylor 3-19, Kgaudise Molefe 3-22)
Jeppe 127-3 (Breidyn Schaper 68 not out, Levert Manje 26)
Jeppe won by seven wickets
Photos: Theo Garrun
