The South Africa U19s fell 22 runs short of reaching Northern Cape’s target yesterday to lose their first match of their one-day campaign in Kimberley.

The SA U19s won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to reap similar success they had when they successfully chased down WP’s total on Sunday.

It wasn’t to be, as NC posted a modest score of 142 all out in 42.5 overs – which proved to be good enough on a heavy wicket and against a young team still hoping to bear fruit. 

It was again a day for the bowlers, with all 20 wickets falling for only 262 runs from both sides.

NC had no notable scorers with the bat, but a mention could go to tail-ender Benjamin van Rensburg, who scored 25 not out and steered his side to a modest total. The rest of the line-up shared the load, with no other batsman scoring more than 20.

Nathan Steyn and Samuel Ruwisi were the pick of the bowlers for the SA U19s, each of whom took three wickets. Steyn was the most inexpensive of the lot, accumulating a sublime economy rate of 1.79. 

The SA U19s responded well out the gates, but their innings – both in terms of their falling wickets and run-rate – continued to dwindle as their despairing chase was becoming downcast.

Jordan Hermann put in a strong effort to score a patient 97-ball 37, before being dismissed for an LBW by Aubrey Swanepoel. Nobody else was able to concretely hold their own in the middle, with no definitive partnerships to speak of.

The SA U19s were bowled out for just 120 in 45.1 overs. Swanepoel took figures of 4/22 at a rate of 2.20, while Beyers Swanepoel and Ernest Kemm contributed two wickets each.

It is said that experience exposes one’s most valuable lessons in life, and the young SA U19 side can only make mental strides from the challenges they’re encountering in Kimberley.