25 January 2024
Glenwood‘s SA Schools’ opening bowler Ntando Soni was at the forefront of their challenge, with both ball and bat, as they recorded a convincing eight-wicket W100 victory over Northwood on Dixon’s on Wednesday.
Soni set the visitors on the back foot three balls into the contest when he dismissed opener Harley Jagga without scoring. Bandile Mbatha, who like Soni turned out for KZN at the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week in Mkahanda at the end of 2023, then bowled Alistair Duncan for six, to reduce the Knights to 19/2 after 19 balls.
Kyle White, who helped KZN win the u16 National Week in the December holidays, lent some substance to the Northwood innings, compiling an unbeaten 40, which included three fours, from his 39-ball stay.
He and Mason Storm joined forces and shared a 48-run stand for the fifth wicket before Storm fell for 22 from 24 balls, which included a six.
Thirteen deliveries remained in the Northwood innings, but they managed only 10 more runs, as Soni knocked over Jamie Wimble and Connor Leclezio in quick succession. Those late strikes helped limit Northwood to 99/7.
Soni finished with 3/17 from his 20 deliveries, while Kyle Bryan and Awhile Maharaj kept the pressure on the Knights’ batsmen, picking 1/10 in 20 and 1/10 in 15 respectively. Sibonela Phewa also did a good job, with his 15 balls costing only 14 runs.
Jordan Matthews made an early breakthrough for Northwood, when he had Nathan Moodley caught by Mfana Shange for five. Krian Jugoo and Ntando Soni, who had opened the batting with Moodley, then advanced the Glenwood total to 40 before Jugoo was bowled by Jamie Wimble for 13.
Unfortunately for the visitors, that was the last bit of success their bowlers enjoyed as Soni and Bandile Mbatha took the game away from them. They added an unbroken 60 from 42 balls to see their side to a comfortable win with 12 balls in hand.
Mbatha top scored with 32 from 23 deliveries, including four fours and a six, while Soni made 27 from 38 with two fours.
Jordan Matthews was the pick of the Northwood bowlers, claiming 1/14 in 20 balls.
Next up for Glenwood is a trip to Hilton College on Saturday, while Northwood will be visited by Westville Boys’ High.
Scores
Northwood 99/7 (Kyle White 40*, Mason Storm 22, Ntando Soni 3/17, Kyle Bryan 1/10, Awhile Maharaj 1/10); Glenwood 100/2 (Bandile Mbatha 32*, Ntando Soni 27*, Jordan Matthews 1/14) Glenwood won by 8 wickets.
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