Two 1st XI wins for Graeme
The Graeme 1st XI cricket side celebrated a double header victory last weekend. In the initial stages of the CSA T20 competition, Graeme were pitted against Port Alfred High School and got off to the perfect start after they were sent in to bat, with Romario Fritz scoring 31.
Jeremy Beyleveld took the game away from Port Alfred with a devastating 83. He was well supported by Mark Amm (38 not out) and Stefan Botha (27 not out). Graeme eventually finished on a daunting 202 for 4 after their 20 overs, which proved a mountain to climb for the Port Alfred side. The visitors struggled to get going and faced a well-disciplined bowling attack, eventually capitulating 66 for 9 in their 20 overs. Graeme won by 136 runs.
On Saturday, Graeme and Union battled it out in another good game of cricket. The two young teams played a tough brand of cricket, and the game was decided with just two balls left.
Graeme batted superbly, with Romario Fritz (78) keeping the innings together, with various batters chipping in and allowing Graeme to declare early on 220 for 7.
It was a good debut for Aaron Richardson who ended with 30 not out, at the declaration. Union made their intentions clear from the start, with a quick 50-run first wicket partnership. The run chase was looking well-paced with three batsmen getting past 40, but Graeme applied the odd pressure, which led to a few wickets along the way.
Mark Amm was superb in a marathon spell of 20 overs, and never let Union get away. At 170/ 4 after 47 overs, Union needed 51 runs off the last 6 overs with 6 wickets in hand and their batsmen set.
The 50th over went for 20, but at the expense of one more wicket. At this point, Union looked like they had done enough to claim a special victory.
Liam Agnew and Lakhanya Sam however, added another twist to the match with some dramatic death bowling. Agnew (4 for 32) picked up two late wickets and then bowled a maiden in the penultimate over. Lakhanya Sam stepped up, with Union needing 11 off the last over, with two wickets left.
He bowled an unbelievable over, hitting the top off the stump twice without conceding a run giving Graeme a win in the most tense encounter by 11 runs on the second last ball of the day.
Sam finished with 2 for 23. Both teams deserve a lot of credit for the positive nature in which the match was played. It was the perfect advert for how time cricket should be played.