One-wicket win for St Andrew’s

Graeme’s match-winning streak ended by narrow margin

AFTER eight consecutive wins, the Graeme College first cricket team came up against one of the strongest teams in the province when they met St Andrew’s on the Lower Field in Grahamstown.

In an evenly matched contest, Graeme pushed St Andrew’s to the breaking point and it took a sensational innings from Murray Koster to help St Andrew’s limp to a one-wicket victory.

Graeme batted first and another good opening partnership between Nick Zimmerman (31) and Chris Gleaves (21), meant that St Andrew’s only made the first breakthrough with the score on 60.

The St Andrew’s bowlers managed to restrict scoring and good pressure from their spinners James Quarmby (2/40) and Nicholas Poole (2/30) pegged Graeme back after the drinks break.

Graeme struggled to build significant partnerships after that with only Mark Amm (36) batting for any length of time.

Graeme finished on 177 for nine after their 50 overs.

St Andrew’s were rocked by the Graeme opening bowlers and slumped to 37/5.

Garvin Dampies (3/35) and Lelethu Cekiso (3/41) were phenomenal with the new ball.

But Koster (78) and Ross Vides (35) put together a match-winning 68-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

Koster was flawless in his innings and showed incredible determination and mental aptitude.

There was a late twist as Jeremy Beyleveld (2/28) set the cat among the pigeons when he bowled Koster and then Robert Quarmby with St Andrew’s still needing three runs to win and only one wicket left.

Sihle Mginywa bowled a superb over which could easily have won the game for Graeme, but it was St Andrew’s who managed to get over the line and win by the narrowest of margins.

The U13A and U11A matches were called off without a ball being bowled due to rain. St Andrew’s won the U14B match comfortably by nine wickets, and Graeme won the U11C fixture by eight wickets.

The U11B match was a better contest with St Andrews Prep scoring 231/8. Graeme replied with 154, giving St Andrew’s a 77-run victory.

St Andrew’s won the U14A match by six wickets, after bowling Graeme out for 80.

The U15A game was interestingly poised before their fixture was called off. St Andrew’s scored an impressive 280 and when play was called off Graeme were 218 for four, and Lakhanya Sam (66no) along with Riaan Labuschagne (60no) at the crease.

Graeme U9 chased down 118 in their encounter, to win by five wickets.