Graeme win T20 Coastal Focus finals

AN INCREDIBLE fightback from Graeme College blew Western Cape Sport School out of the water in the Coca-Cola T20 Coastal Focus Schools final held at Fort Hare University on Tuesday afternoon.

It was an amazing end to an entertaining day of cricket, with Graeme sealing a scarcely believable seven-run win, which sees them progress to the national finals as Coastal Focus School Champions, to be held in Pretoria next weekend.

“It was a great day, we were so happy that the rain held off and we were able to play two full games,” Border youth coordinator Loyiso Sibaca said.

“We were disappointed that our Border team didn’t make it to the nationals, but Graeme is from our neighbours EP, it was an amazing final and they were deserved winners in the end.”

After posting a below-par 114/7 in their 20 overs, Graeme were in danger of getting a hiding as the Cape Town visitors powered their way to 86/1 within the first 12 overs before it all fell apart.

Three wickets went down for three runs, including opener Seth Fledermans (42 off 34 balls, 2x4; 1x6) and number three Tatiwe Thorne (27 off 27 balls, 2x4) as they slipped to 89/4.

A 13-run stand then got them over the 100-run mark, but an amazing collapse then saw the final six wickets tumble for just five runs to stun the visitors, who had been in great voice earlier in the innings, cheering every run.

Graeme all-rounder Jeremy Beyleveld was the star with the ball, picking up 4/16 in 3.5 overs, while Romario Fritz, 2/11, and Mark Amm, 2/12, backed him up superbly.

In the morning, Hudson Park High were upset in the final of the EC focus schools section as they lost to Graeme by six wickets.

It was an impressive performance from Graeme as Hudson, who won the toss and elected to bat, managed 131/5 at the end of their 20 overs.