The St Andrew’s College first cricket side’s winning streak came to an end last weekend during their last 2012 fixture against a team of former school mates. In a 50-over match played at the school’s Lower Field, the firsts and the Old Andreans took to the pitch in an Old Andrean Tide weekend event.
The St Andrew’s College first cricket side’s winning streak came to an end last weekend during their last 2012 fixture against a team of former school mates. In a 50-over match played at the school’s Lower Field, the firsts and the Old Andreans took to the pitch in an Old Andrean Tide weekend event.
The Old Andrean Tide is held annually to honour Old Andreans who fought and died in the wars as well as Old Andreans who passed away in the last year.
After a few years of walking away second best to their younger St Andrew’s counterparts, the Old Andreans were determined to break their losing streak. This year the side was bolstered with James Price (EP Amateur cricket side), Jaco Delport (Western Province academy), Ian Herold (EP academy), among others.
The Old Andreans batted with conviction and along with some good running between wickets compiled a competitive 232 total in their 50 overs.
Paul Hofman top scored for the Old Andreans with a solid 66 not out while the rest of his top order batted around him. Jaco Delport (32), Scott Jackson (39), James Price (32) and Ian Herold (26) provided the Old Andreans with an accomplished top order against some tight bowling spells from Panashe Muyeye, Grant Stretton and Andrew Rushmere.
After lunch the Old Andreans were off to a scintillating start to defend their earlier innings when Delport ran out opener Mbulelo Mama with a sharp direct hit from the covers. Rushmere and Murray Leith then fought hard for the first team, against some brisk bowling from Price, while the other Old Andrean bowlers varied their pace, bowling to a tight inner ring field.
Pressure mounted on the St Andrew’s batsmen as the rate required stretched into five runs per over bringing about some forced strokes from Rushmere (32) and Leith (27). Their 72-run partnership was useful but their back to back fall of wickets brought two new batsman to the crease and the Old Andreans found themselves firmly on top. The Old Andreans never relinquished their firm grip on the match with a convincing 89-run win. Scott Jackson was their man of the match, taking six wickets for 34 runs.
“The College first team players will feel content with their year of cricket,” said director of cricket at St Andrew’s Carl Bradfield. Their undefeated Eastern Cape record in the longer formats (50 overs and deceleration matches) of the game, including 27 victories, “should give them a solid base to work from going into the Grahamstown Cricket Festival,” Bradfield said.
The Grahamstown Cricket Festival will take place from 10-12 January next year.
