The St Andrew's College 1st X1 started off their season in the Grahamstown Schools' Cricket Festival against a well-drilled Hoerskool Menlopark side.
The St Andrew's College 1st X1 started off their season in the Grahamstown Schools' Cricket Festival against a well-drilled Hoerskool Menlopark side.
Chris Ford led the St Andrew's attack, taking 4 wickets, as Menlopark were dismissed for 161. St Andrew's looked to be in a strong position at 50/0 with brothers Michael (captain) and Andrew Rushmere at the crease.
Wickets fell and after the loss of their captain at 71/3 St Andrew's were under pressure for the first time in the game. Menlopark squeezed St Andrew's, who folded under pressure, being dismissed for 133 as Menlopark went on to win by 28 runs.
On day two against Wynberg Boys' High School, the home side won the toss and batted well, declaring on 226/5. Ian Herold (106) and Gregg King (70 not out) batted with great patience, setting up a four runs per over chase for Wynberg.
Wynberg batted positively, keeping up with the rate required, but lost wickets and at 90/5 St Andrew's were in with a chance of victory. Persistent rain, however, had the last say, ending a potential exciting finish with a draw.
The first session on day three, against St Albans College, went St Andrew's way and St Albans found themselves in a tough position at 87/6. St Andrew's missed some opportunities and St Albans seized the moment with a great fight back, finishing after lunch with a strong 226 total on a slow outfield.
The Rushmere brothers were again solid up front and at 90/0 had a solid platform. St Albans kept their discipline, restricting the St Andrew's batsman and, as conditions slowed up, runs became hard to come by. The St Andrew's innings lost momentum, wickets fell, and a draw looked inevitable. St Andrew's finished on the back foot at 120/5.
