560 Match a fitting farewell for Westville & Kearsney matrics
ONE can only begin to imagine the emotion.
The last schoolboy cricket match for a host of Westville and Kearsney College first XI players.
Feature image: Captain my Captain – Bowden’s Oval goodbyes: Robbie Koenig of Kearsney and Matt Pollard of Westville leading their first XI’s for the last time.
And what an absolute box-office smash it was.
On a Bowden’s pitch that would have served the nearby N3 well, 560 runs were scored and just 9 wickets lost.
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Kearsney lost the toss in overcast and windy conditions and were put in to bat on a belter of a batting track. Initially 1/1, Kearsney recovered beautifully to register an impressive 279/7 in their 50 overs.
Kearsney College captain and KZN U19 all-rounder Robbie Koenig top-scored with 55, while Cody Carmichael (36), Jordan Bamber (47), Jean-Luc Talbot (42) and William Patton (39) also tested the scorers’ arithmetic.
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The key was that Westville now knew exactly what was required of their top-order batters – and boy, did they respond in stunning fashion.
Understanding what worked and what was best left alone – having watched the Kearsney batters go about their innings – Westville used the track impressively and reached the target with just three wickets down and a comfortable three overs to spare.
And fittingly it was head boy and first XI captain, the KZN Coastal U19 all-rounder Matthew Pollard (42*) who steered the good ship Westville safely into harbour, alongside Ethan Matkovich (65*).
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A great platform had been laid for the finishers by Westville’s provincial players Jared Oosthuizen (57) and Caleb Pillay (72).
It was a truly great batting wicket and the difference probably was that Kearsney did not convert their great start into more half-centuries.
Westville managed a great run chase to deservedly win by seven wickets.
The first XI awards were made at Kearsney’s annual cricket dinner held on Saturday. Recipients were (from left) Steven Conway (Fielder of the Year), Jordan Bamber (Best Catch of the Year), Taine Muirhead (Batsman of the Year), Michael Brokensha (Bowler of the Year), Robbie Koenig (All-rounder of the Year), Carl Heunis (Players’ Player of the Year) and (in front) Cade Carmichael (Most Improved Player). Photo Tracey van den Aardweg
SCORES IN BRIEF
*Westville won the toss
1st X1 Kearsney – 279/6 (Robbie Koenig 55, Jordan Bamber 47, Jean-Luc Talbot 42*, William Patton 39, Cade Carmichael 36)
1st X1 Westville – 281/3 (Matthew Pollard 42*,Ethan Matkovich 65*, Jared Oosthuizen 57, Caleb Pillay 72)
Westville won by 7 wickets
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