Schools cricket - Kearsney College vs Glenwood

Schools cricket. Photo: Kearsney bowler Litha Gonya

Kearsney 1st X1 cricket team played a schools cricket game against Glenwood High 1st X1. Kearsney lost the toss yet again on a day when the overcast conditions indicated that bowlers were destined to have a field day.

With some trepidation, Kearsney’s openers were to face Glenwood’s formidable duo of Ntando Soni (SA U19/SA Schools) and Bandile Mbatha (KZN U19). Despite some hostile fast bowling from the two quicks, Kearsney coped admirably. They managed an impressive 243 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs.

Glenwood did not utilise the optimal bowling conditions and, from the start of the innings, left themselves the daunting task of having to chase at a required run rate of almost five to the over.

Pick of the Kearsney batters were Jonty Wiggett with a gutsy 36 upfront. Also a swashbuckling 33 from Sandiswa Yeni and a competent 59 from Aaron Blackburn on debut. Furthermore a vintage 77 from captain Ross Coetzee who is in the form of his life.

Kearsney utilised the ideal bowling conditions on offer. They bundled Glenwood out for 116, with only Sibonyela Phewa (37) and Nthando Soni (32) offering some resistance.

It was an interesting game, in which bowlers were expected to be dominant, yet no bowler took more than two wickets. Excellent fielding was the order of the day and it was another display of excellent schoolboy cricket, with both sides engaged in a competent, enthusiastic and competitive battle.