Schools Cricket – Kearsney College vs St Charles College

Schools Cricket. Saturday was a great day for Kearsney College, KZN, on the cricket field against St Charles, with every A Team winning their matches. The 1^st XI game was played on the Smith Oval. It was a closely contested match with the hosts recording a thrilling 12-run victory.

With the amount of rain preceding the match, Kearsney won the toss and made the brave decision to bat first. St Charles started well and bowled extremely tightly through their emerging SA opening bowler Dakesh Rajah (2/23 in 9 overs) as well as their left arm spinner Caleb Sharp (2/14 in 9.1 overs). Survival was the game plan for Kearsney early on and they managed to make their way to 65/2 at tea.

Jason de Gryse

Jason de Gryse, Kearsney’s captain and opening bat, held the innings together with a patient 41 off 92 balls. He was well supported by Cole Young (29) and Nicholas Comrie (29 not out), to see the hosts set a competitive 172 all out. St Charles’ standout performer with the ball was Keegan Vermaak, who took 5/35 in his 10 overs.

St Charles got off to the perfect start in their chase, bringing up their 50 with the loss of a wicket. Kearsney’s Litha Gonya bowled extremely well. He only conceded eight runs in his opening six overs. Unfortunately he lacked support from the other end. Litha Gonya was particularly strong on anything loose. He scored 33 off 38 balls.

Spin bowlers

The match changed, however, when Kearsney introduced their spin bowlers, Rivan Moodley and Matthew Gorrie. Both have been so successful this season. Moodley removed Zama and St Charles went from 56/0 to 72/5.

Fortunately for the visitors a solid sixth wicket partnership took them to 138 without losing another wicket through Rajah (39) and Rivan Moodley(29). Gorrie got the breakthrough, which gave the hosts some confidence. St Charles needed a further 38 runs with 4 wickets left.

Moodley continued to strike and ended with 4/27 in 10 overs, while Gorrie ended with 3/46 in his 10 overs. With the light fading Kearsney were told they could not bowl their seamers, and turned to their captain Jason De Gryse who got the final wicket, to give the hosts a narrow 12-run victory in what was a great advert for schoolboy cricket.