12 February 2023
Saint Charles College visited Durban High School for a clash on the Les Theobald Oval on Saturday, 11 February. On their previous trip to the coastal city, Saints had fallen to Northwood, but this time around they brought their A-game, which helped them take down DHS by eight wickets.
The hosts, after winning the toss, opted to bat first, but their batsmen didn’t do justice to that decision. In fact, only three of them made it into double-figures, and 17 extras ended up being the third highest run contributor to their small total of 118 all out.
Semal Pillay showed good commitment for the home side, though, sticking around for 78 balls and hitting two fours before being caught and bowled by Nathan Beaumont for the innings’ top score of 37.
Opener Nkululeko Masondo also put his head down and worked hard for his runs. He struck three fours in an innings of 21 runs from 61 deliveries, and, late in the innings, Josh Venter weighed in with an unbeaten 13.
Captain Matthew Urquhart led the Saints’ bowling attack, picking up 3 for 22 in eight overs of off-spin, while Nathan Beaumont removed three batsmen with his leg-spin, snaring 3 for 31 in 10 overs.
Impressive miserly bowling
Maybe, though, Brendon Sunguro, was the most impressive of the visitors’ bowlers. He had the DHS batsmen in a knot, sending down 8.1 overs, four of which were maidens, and conceded only a single in each of his other four overs. His final figures were an astounding 2 for 4, and his economy rate was less than half-a-run an over.
Gihaan Adonis struck for the seamers, picking up a neat 2 for 14 from six overs.
After 48.1 overs, DHS were all out for 118.
Solid start crucial factor in win
In reply, Saints’ openers, Sam Brown and Cian Fortmann, pretty much ensured a victory for their team. Brown launched a towering six over long-on and added a couple of fours in a knock of 23 from 21 balls before he was caught by Ruben Peters off of the bowling of leg-spinner Jared Havyerman. He attempted another big shot over the top, but this time sliced it to point, where he was caught.
Havyerman then trapped Ntando Zuma in front for 5, but that brought the skipper Matthew Urquhart to the crease, to join Cian Fortmann in the middle, and together they saw Saints to victory.
Fortmann finished unbeaten on 54 from 57 balls, sending eight deliveries across the boundary, while Urquhart launched two sixes and two fours in an innings of 32 not out from 38 balls.
Jared Havyermen, the only successful DHS bowler, picked up 2 for 34 in six overs.
SCORES
Durban High School 118 all out (S. Pillay 37, N. Masondo 21, M.Urquhart 3 for 22, N. Beaumont 3 for 31, B. Sunguro 2 for 4, J. Adonis 2 for 14)
Saint Charles College 119 for 2 (C. Fortmann 54*, M. Urquhart 32*, J. Havyerman 2 for 34)
Saint Charles won by 8 wickets
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