Hoërskool Garsfontein and Graeme College became the first two teams to book their places in the semifinals of the boys’ section of the Schools SA20 Final Showdown in Pretoria on Thursday.

Locals Garsies bagged two bonus point victories on the second day to seal their place as they first defeated St Andrew’s School Bloemfontein by eight wickets in the morning session before beating Northwood School from Durban by 19 runs in the afternoon.

The afternoon match was reduced to seven overs per side due to a thunderstorm in the capital city with Garsfontein reaching 53/7 in their allotted overs. Their opening batter Reuben van Zyl (23) continued his good form while Ben Cilliers (3/9) and Kyle White (2/6) caused the ‘Ysbere’ problems.

Northwood needed to get past the target in 5.3 overs to secure a place in the playoffs. However, they were bowled out for a mere 34 runs with Echard Struwig (3/8) and Zizwe Khumalo (2/4) causing them all sorts of problems.

Earlier, in the morning session, Garsfontein beat Saints by 8 wickets thanks to a half-century by Van Zyl (52) and some excellent bowling by Ruan Coetzee (4/17) and their captain, Xander Venter (2/4).

Graeme College, meanwhile, secured their place in the playoffs by beating St Andrew’s with a bonus-point in a match reduced to five overs per side. The team from Makhanda reached 43/3 in their five overs with Enrique Strydom (15*) top scoring.

Saints needed at least 34 runs in the chase to keep Graeme College from getting a bonus point if they were to progress, but the they only reached 29/6 in their allotted overs. 

In the other pool, Bishops Diocesan College started their Schools SA20 Final Showdown campaign with an emphatic 142-run victory over Pearson High School from Gqeberha.

Bishops’ Julian Pilkington was the star as he picked up a five-wicket haul – the first of the tournament being played at the University of Pretoria.

In the afternoon, the Capetonians then suffered an unexpected 7-wicket defeat against Cricket South Africa’s Hub Invitational XI. This was also reduced to five overs per side.

Bishops scored 44/3 in their five overs with Adnaan Lagadien (14) making the biggest contribution. The Invitational side reached the target with the second last delivery of their innings thanks to a four by Ryall Julies (5*).

Bishops will face the unbeaten St David’s Marist in their final pool match on Friday in what is effectively a quarterfinal.

Summarised Scorecards:

Morning Session

St Andrew’s School 81 (Extras 21, Erhard Barends 19; Ruan Coetzee 4/17, Xander Venter 2/4);Garsfontein 82/2 (Reuben van Zyl 52; Nikhil Sukraj 1/14). Garsfontein won by 8 wickets.

Bishops Diocesan College 190/6 (Alexander Vintcent 41*, Waco Bassick 40, James Robb-Quinlan 36, Samuel Stavely-Alexander 21; Kade Myburgh 2/49); Pearson 48 (Jude Septoo 12; Julian Pilkington 5/6, Luke de Klerk 3/23). Bishops won by 142 runs.

Northwood 120/6 (Tuswa Petha 30, David de Bruyn 28, Ross McGlashan 21; Lisekho Zinyane 2/18, Ethan Bokbaard 2/27); Graeme College 99/9 (Jordan Damons 22, Corbin Tidbury 21; Ben Cilliers 2/12, Jamie Wimble 2/14). Northwood won by 21 runs.

Afternoon Session

Garsfontein 53/7 (Reuben van Zyl 23; Ben Cilliers 3/9, Kyle White 2/6, Jordan Matthews 2/13);Northwood 34 (Ben Cilliers 7; Echard Struwig 3/8, Zizwe Khumalo 2/4, Katlego Lebelo 2/8).Garsfontein won by 19 runs.

Graeme College 43/3 (Enrique Strydom 15*; Nikhil Sukraj 1/2); St Andrew’s School 29/6 (Andrew Sobiech 7; Ajay Jeggels 2/10, Ethan Bokbaard 2/11). Graeme won by 14 runs.

Pearson 45/5 (Matthew Burton 23; Christopher Emslie 2/11, Morteza Manack 2/13); St David’s Marist 46/3 (Jason Rowles 25, Kamogelo Phiri 14; Matthew Burton 2/20). St David’s won by 7 wickets. 

Bishops Diocesan College 44/3 (Adnaan Lagadien 14; Ryall Julies 1/14, Enathi Kitshini 1/14); CSA Hub Invitational XI 47/3 (Matthew Florence 16*; Julian Pilkington 2/22). CSA Hub Invitational won by 7 wickets.