Beni Hansen & Xavier Garvs
Monday 12 February 24: The report on WBHS 1st XI vs Rondebosch Boys’ High School, as published in the Cape Argus – re-published, with permission of and credit to, Mogamat Goosain Abrahams.
It was derby day in Cape Town when traditional rivals went toe to toe in single-innings unlimited-over school fixtures. Both the Rondebosch vs Wynberg and SACS vs Bishops games had delayed starts due to light overnight rain and moisture on the wicket.
At Rondebosch on a green top the hosts won the toss and not surprisingly sent Wynberg in to bat. It was a move that paid immediate dividends as both opening batsmen Storme van Rooyen (1) and Shadley Allie (1) were dismissed in quick succession. Bosch opening bowler David Simon (2/37) struck again by dismissing the in-form Paul James (4) cheaply and at 23/3 Wynberg was reeling.
While captain courageous Beni Hansen (60) was at the wicket he held the innings together. He showed great patience in rebuilding the innings. Together with Xavier Garvs (112) they put on 74 for the 5th wicket before he was dismissed on 126/5.
Garvs in the meantime benefitted from a dropped catch in the outfield and played the Bosch spinners with aplomb. A feature of his innings was his running between the wickets, whilst he was severe on anything loose. He laced his knock with 13 boundaries and cleared the ropes thrice in an innings which lasted 137 balls.
Upon his departure on 228/8 the Wynberg tail wagged effectively with an undefeated 29* by Luke Keinsmith enabling them to declare at 252/8.
At their turn to bat the Bosch top order struggled to get to grips with the seamer-friendly conditions. They were soon in trouble slumping to 22/3 as the Wynberg pace attack spearheaded by Ebrahim Fakir (3/16) wreaked havoc. Thereafter it was a procession as they lost wickets in clusters.
It was only opening batsman Nathan Ball (52) that kept the fragile Bosch innings together before he was dismissed last man out with the total on 122.
This comprehensive 130-run victory for Wynberg was sweet revenge for their first-round defeat earlier this season.
In other school cricket news:
At SACS, Bishops were sent in to bat after a late start. In testing conditions the Bishops line up without the in-form Adnaan Lagadien (injured) struggled against the seam of Litha Kraai (3/20). He exploited the conditions superbly as the Bishops batting capitulated to 64/5.It was only make shift opener Thaafier Japhta (40) that stood firm . When he departed there was a useful contribution by Sam Stavely-Alexander (43) that kept the innings in shape .
It was however left to the recognised bowlers Waco Bassick (79) and Peyton Leigh (41*) who put on 98 for the eighth wicket that enabled Bishops to declare at a competitive total on 233/8 in 65 overs.
SACS required to score 4.23 runs an over in 55 overs to secure victory . They started off cautiously with Luke Whitehead (33) holding the fort . But his departure on 76/4 saw SACS change tactics. Mindful of their inexperienced tail middle order batter Kieran Bowers (56*) played with rare circumspection to occupy the crease as he single-handedly took his side home to safety. When stumps were drawn at 180/6 they earned a creditable draw.
For Bishops “ leggie “ Leigh (4/64) and quick bowler Bassick (2/28) accounted for all the wickets to fall , to complete useful “doubles”.
