The derby battle in Grahamstown between St Andrew’s College and Kingswood College lived up to expectation, ending in dramatic fashion.
The derby battle in Grahamstown between St Andrew’s College and Kingswood College lived up to expectation, ending in dramatic fashion.
Kingswood had just returned from the National T20 competition finals, where both Marco Lombard and Brad Haller were selected in the tournament’s ‘Best XI team’ with Lombard walking away as Player of the Tournament. St Andrew's, similarly, walked away from the Michaelmas Festival in good form, as well as having a successful trip to Zimbabwe.
The derby then, was set up as an exciting prospect.
Kingswood won the toss, chose to bat first and were reasonably placed on 72 runs for 2 wickets with Marco Lombard and Daine Kruger steadily compiling runs. Kingswood then lost wickets as St Andrew’s stemmed the run rate and were under pressure finding themselves in an awkward position at 130/9. Josh Shelley and Jared Van Blerk held it together before Kingwood were bowled out for 161.
One only knows what a wicket plays like until both teams have had a go, but at 61/2 with Brendan Owen and Andrew Mills at the crease St Andrew’s looked well positioned.
The clouds rolled in and with it a spirited session from Kingswood picking up five wickets, Michael Braans the pick of the spinners (3/24) and earlier Jared van Blerk did damage with his left arm swing (3/20). St Andrews then steadied the ship and were well poised at 148/7, Benjamin Dovey and Chris McCarthy at the crease.
Kingswood kept fighting and a slick bit of fielding from Brad Haller surged Kingswood back into the match with Chris McCarthy run out through a direct hit. Captain Brad Haller then brought himself on nicking Benjamin Dovey off for a determined 35.
Next to follow was a mix up which left Ross Ferguson run out and Kingswood finishing off a dramatic day, winners by 12 runs, with St Andrew's losing their last three wickets on 149.
