20 September 2025
Clifton College continued to make a strong statement at the St John’s Rams T20, in Harare, on Saturday, cruising to a six-wicket victory over Peterhouse (feature photo).
Kearsney College also impressed, defeating Falcon College by 26 runs, while the Johannesburg Invitational XI held their nerve in a thriller, edging past defending champions, St John’s (Harare), off the very last ball.
For Clifton, it was another commanding performance. Set 132 to win after Peterhouse had posted 131/8, the Durban side needed only 14.5 overs to get the job done.
Tyler Chapman had kept Peterhouse afloat with a fine 63 off 44 balls, including four fours and two sixes, but his knock lacked support. Only Victor Watama (24 off 17) and Cameron Rae (18 off 20) made it into double figures alongside him.
Clifton’s bowlers, once again, did their job. Left-arm spinner Blake Johnson maintained his excellent form, claiming 3/19 in three overs.
In reply, Clifton’s batting was anchored by their captain, Tim Saulez. After two standout knocks from Cohen Naidoo in previous matches, it was Saulez who took the lead this time. He struck nine fours and a six on his way to an unbeaten 70 from 50 deliveries.
Cristian Borrageiro added a lively 22 from 15 balls, clearing the ropes twice, to push Clifton past the target in double-quick time.
For Peterhouse, Callum Scott Elliot‘s 2/26 was the best of their bowling, but there was no containing Saulez as Clifton powered to a third straight victory.
Kearsney, meanwhile, chose to bat first against Falcon College and, after a shaky start, seized control.
Keegan de Jager (54 off 39) played with authority, striking seven fours and a six. He shared stands of 42 with Cole Young (36 off 24) and 49 with Asher Hollister (52 off 25), the latter blazing away with four sixes and four fours in a brutal display of hitting.
Their efforts lifted Kearsney to 189/7 in their 20 overs. For Falcon, Dmitry Fatch (2/21) and Zach Gover (1/20) stood out with the ball.
Falcon’s run chase began brightly, with their captain, Alastair Carle, blasting 27 off 14 balls before falling to James Bishop. Brandon Ndikweni was the cornerstone of their reply with 40 from 38 deliveries, while Liam Nel (25 off 20) and Reed Merick (21 off 15) provided support. But the required run rate always stayed just out of reach. Falcon closed on 163/9, 26 runs shy of the target.
Kearsney’s bowling attack was well balanced, with Michael Groom once more leading the way. He delivered a third straight standout performance, this time returning 3/16 in four overs. Late in the innings, Yusuf Basat chipped in with 3/25, ensuring Falcon never came close.
The Johannesburg Invitational XI – a combined side featuring players from King Edward VII (KES), Jeppe, Queens High School, and St John’s College – sneaked a five-wicket win against St John’s, the defending champions.
Needing 12 runs off the final over, the Invitational XI held their nerve and got over the line off the very last ball.
With two days of action completed, Clifton sits on top of the standings with 15 points and a commanding net run rate of 3.564. The Johannesburg Invitational XI follows closely behind on 14 points, while Kearsney are third with 12. Importantly, all three South African sides remain unbeaten and firmly in the title race.
As the team in first place, Clifton secured a place in the semi-finals on Sunday. So, too, did the Johannesburg Invitational XI. Kearsney, though, will have to take on Wise Owl in an eliminator. St John’s College faces Falcon College in the other eliminator.
SCORES
Peterhouse 131/8 (Tyler Chapman 63, Victor Watama 24; Blake Johnson 3/19); Clifton College 132/4 (Tim Saulez 70*, Cristiano Borrageiro 22; Callum Scott Elliot 2/26).
Clifton College won by six wickets.
Kearsney College 189/7 (Keegan de Jager 54, Asher Hollister 52, Cole Young 36; Dmitry Fatch 2/21); Falcon College 163/9 (Brandon Ndiweni 40, Alastair Carle 27, Liam Nel 25, Reed Merick 21; Michael Groom 3/16, Yusuf Basat 3/25).
Kearsney College won by 26 runs.
St John’s College 153/7 (Luca Spagnuolo 44, Connor Lovatt 31; Wade McQuinn 3/17, Tapiwa Chikwava 2/22); Johannesburg Invitational XI 154/5 (Troy Gordon 61, Lincoln Casais 38, Wade McQuinn 25*; Connor Lovatt 2/27, Khulekani Nduku 2/28).
Johannesburg Invitational XI won by 5 wickets.
CBC Bulawayo 131/8 (Kelebokile Moyo 47, Joshua Armstrong 28; Takunda Garwe 3/19, Junaid Nyawasha 2/17, Donell Madongo 2/18); Prince Edward 130/10 (Junaid Nyawasha 34, Extras 29; Tawana Ratisai 4/9; Takudzwa Maposa 3/30).
CBC Bulawayo won by one run.
Hellenic Academy 201/7 (Kian Blignaut 60, Dhruv Patel 51, Extras 22, Michael Blignaut 21, Kirby Madaramete 20*; Ethan Zhou 3/25, Kundanashe Mushonga 2/43); St George’s College 123/8 (Tyshawn Zuze 29, Kundanashe Mushonga 25; Tom Sinclair 2/17, Kirby Madaramete 2/20).
Hellenic Academy won by 78 runs.
Wise Owl 218/7 (Thelson Madziwana 67, Extras 48, Tadiwanashe Kurehwatira 47; Zvikomborero Masango 3/19, Wessly Maramwidze 3/23); Churchill 135/6 (Praise Dube 34, Takunda Rakabopwa 31, Zvikomborero Masango 30*; Tadiwanashe Kurehwatira 2/15).
Wise Owl won by 83 runs.
St John’s College 232/2 (Connor Lovatt 102*, Riley Ettlin 56, Jetas Sai Maramreddy 37, James Manning 23*); Prince Edward 108/7 (Nigel Mazhindu 30, Shayne Garwe 22).
St John’s College won by 124 runs.
Wise Owl 152/10 (Marshall Mashava 48, Tatenda Chimugoro 24, Tadiwanashe Kurehwatira 21, Thelson Madziwana 21; Luke Marillier 3/12, Cameron Oosthuizen 2/14); Peterhouse 119/10 (Luke Marillier 35, Victor Watama 27; Panashe Mazai 2/18, Shane Kayemba 2/21).
Wise Owl won by 33 runs.
Hellenic Academy 157/10 (Connor Duckworth 28, Kian Blignaut 27; Dmitry Fatch 2/18, Neil Rosenfels 2/24, Liam Nel 2/29, Darren Ncube 2/31); Falcon College 158/3 (Alastair Carle 73, Brandon Ndiweni 39).
Falcon College won by seven wickets.
[/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row]
Leave a Reply