Steyn City School sent a clear message to the rest of the teams during the opening day of the girls’ section of the Schools SA20 Final Showdown at the University of Pretoria.
During a thunderstorm-curtailed afternoon, national Under-19 wicketkeeper-batter Karabo Meso showed her class with a solid unbeaten 26 runs as Steyn City defeated Victoria Hub by 7 wickets in a 5-over-a-side match.
Meso helped the junior Proteas Women reach the final of the ICC U19 Women’s World Cup in Malaysia earlier this year and will be hoping to, alongside national teammate Diara Ramlakan, help their school go one better this week.
Jenna-Lee Lubbe (2/13), a non-traveling reserve for the national U19 side, was the pick of their side’s bowling attack against Victoria Hub.
For Victoria Hub, Imaan van Schalkwyk (14) managed to get a start with the bat before being dismissed while Zaurah Titus (2/17) can also feel happy about her performance with the ball in hand.
Saints Christian School from Potchefstroom started their campaign off with a four-wicket victory over Nkowankowa Hub from Tzaneen.
The star of this victory for Saints was their spin bowler Tshegofatso Monyela who picked up four wickets at the cost of only five runs helping her team to restrict Nkowankowa to only 33 runs. That return also secured her the Player of the Day award, and she will wear a red cap to signify that during Friday’s action.
Monyela was supported well by Siphumelele Duma (2/7) and Gogontle Padi (2/11) who also caused the losing side’s batters problems with their bowling.
For Nkowankowa it was only Motlalepule Sebele (6*) and Faith Nkuna (6) who managed to score some runs in difficult conditions.
As it happens, Monyela (10) also top-scored with the bat for Saints with Reabetswe Dithipe (7) also chipping in. Motlalepule Sebele (2/16) was the pick of the Nkowankowa bowling attack.
KwaZulu-Natal champions, Dr JL Dube High School won their opening match against Nomandi Junior Secondary School by 7 wickets in a low-scoring match. Nomandi was bowled out for only 27 runs with Anelisa Mhlongo (3/8) and Zukiswa Msiya (2/6) causing most of the damage.
Msiya (9) also made the biggest contribution with the bat for Dr JL Dube.
Summarised Scorecards:
Nomandi Junior Secondary School 27 all out (Qhawe Tenjwa 6*, Enkosi Mditshwa 6; Anelisa Mhlongo 3/8, Zukiswa Msiya 2/6); Dr JL Dube High School 29/3 (Zukiswa Msiya 9, Lungile Ngcobo 6*; Enkosi Mditshwa 2/9); Dr JL Dube won by 7 wickets.
Nkowankowa Hub 33 all out (Extras 7, Motlalepule Sebele 6*, Faith Nkuna 6; Tshegofatso Monyela 4/5, Siphumelele Duma 2/7, Gogontle Padi 2/11); Saints Christian School 34/6 (Tshegofatso Monyela 10, Reabetswe Dithipe 7; Motlalepule Sebele 2/16). Saints Christian School won by 4 wickets.
Victoria Hub 33/3 (Imaan van Schalkwyk 14, Nuhuu Benjamin 9*; Jenna-Lee Lubbe 2/13); Steyn City School 34/3 (Karabo Meso 26*; Zaurah Titus 2/17). Steyn City won by 7 wickets.
