St Andrew's College KZN Cricket Tour:
Report summary - click on this link to read Carl Bradfield's full report
Report from Carl Bradfield, Director of Cricket, 6 September 2010:
The 1st X1 were in the field first and bowled well as a unit for most of their innings and were managing to restrict Hilton College, but Hilton kept wickets in hand were aiming for a strong finish to their 40 overs. Jason Shields kept the innings together, accelerated through some lusty boundaries and Hilton gave College a fairly challenging 174 to chase in their 40 overs on a sporty pitch. Hilton got off to a good start with two early wickets. Ryan Dugmore offered some good resistance and threatened a strong finish, unfortunately College did not respond well and were bowled out for 146 in the 36 overs, Hilton finishing very much deserved winners.
The Colts were put into bat in similar conditions to the 1st X1 restricting Hilton to 168 in their 40 overs. Murray Leith was the pick of the College bowlers with 3/30. The Colts were well set at 99/1, unfortunately some poor decision making left College needing 5 runs off the last over with 5 wickets in and 2 new batsman at the crease. College found what was needed and the Colts won by 5 wickets. Andrew Rushmere top scoring with 53. The Colts finished their tour off in fine style with their 6 victories. The 1st X1 were disappointing in the overall results but should gain good experience going into their St David's 20/20 festival starting on Thursday. A special thanks to all the Natal Schools for hosting St Andrew's College in fine style and for giving St Andrews a competitive experience in unfamiliar conditions.
Report from Carl Bradfield, Director of Cricket, 5 September 2010:
The Colts dominated their fixture vs. Clifton College on Thursday at Kingsmead's Nursery Ground. They were put into bat and 250 in 50 overs was always going to be tough for Clifton to chase. Thomas Flimer top scored with a flamboyant 60. St Andrews dismissed Clifton for 80 through a fiery spell of bowling from Mbulelo Mama picking up 6 wickets. The 1st X1 were fired up for their day night 40 over match on the Sahara Kingsmead Oval. The team looked very smart in their navy day night clothing and James Price dominated the College innings with a sparkling 130, College posting a challenging 210 for Clifton to chase under lights. College got 2 early wickets, but the evening was unfortunately cut short by some persistent rain. Clifton & KZN Cricket hosted College in fine style and gave the cricketers a wonderful experience which I'm sure they'll cherish.
The Colts came through a tough encounter on Friday vs. Westville Boys High School winning by 20 runs. All the batsman contributed in posting 193 for Westville to chase in their 45 overs. The Colts responded well with a superb fielding & bowling performance, a fine team effort bowling Westville out for 173.
The 1st X1 bowled first on Saturday vs. Westville, dismissing Westville for 123 in a disciplined bowling display. At 83/1 College looked well on track, but 4 quick wickets kept Westville in the game. In the end College held their composure winning by 5 wickets.
The teams set off Sunday morning for Hilton for their final match on Monday in their respective 40 over matches.
Report from Carl Bradfield, Director of Cricket, 2 September 2010:
Match 2 of the KZN Tour saw the 1st X1 take on the Dolphins Cricket Academy at the Kingsmead Oval, the Dolphin's nursery ground, and the Colts X1 at Kloof CC vs. a Dolphins trial team. The 1st X1 fought their way to 202/5 in 50 overs on a low bouncing track. Sasha Gunn top scoring up front with 52 and Ryan Dugmore batted responsibly finishing on 33*. The players put together one of their best performances in the field, showing discipline and courage dismissing the Dolphins for 170, Chris Ford was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 wickets, College winning by 32 runs. The Colts X1 were put into bat in their 40 over match and the batsman responded well to tough batting conditions finishing the innings off on 168/8. Murray Leith and Andrew Rushmere again played well through a tough period, setting up a platform for Tyler Paul (35) and Mbulelo Mama (33) to play their strokes. The bowlers again delivered for the Colts, bowling the Dolphins out for 138. Grant Stretton and Murray Leith bowled well in tandem with 3 wickets each.
Match 3 vs. Maritzburg College was set up to be a great test for the College players. The Colts X1 started first with 20/20 fixture at Maritzburg College followed by the 1st X1 in 45 over Day Night fixture at the Varsity Oval. The Colts lost the power play and Maritzburg College looked like posting a big one at 36/0 after 6 overs. The Colts responded beautifully, spinners Grant Stretton & Andrew Rushmere (2/14) pegged the batters back and Murray Leith bowled a fine 4 over spell (2/11) restricting Maritzburg College to 89 in their 20 overs. The Colts batted superbly in their calculated run chase. Murray Leith (45*) and Andrew Rushmere (35*) batted with maturity, the Colts winning by 9 wickets. The 1st X1 won the toss and elected to bat first. Momentum was scarce and when the batsman had it they were quick to give it away. As a result the highest partnership of 52 between Dugmore & Amm was not enough and St Andrews stumbled to 176 all out. Ryan Dugmore top scored with 57. The 1st X1 fought hard in the field and apart from some extras did well as a unit. Maritzburg College adapted to the conditions in a professional manner and a 92 run partnership between Sharp & Miller proved too much for St Andrews, Maritzburg College finishing deserved winners by 5 wickets.
Report from Carl Bradfield, Director of Cricket, 30 August 2010:
St Andrew's College started their KZN Cricket Tour in fine fashion. The 1st X1 and Colts X1 both won their matches vs. St Charles College by 7 wickets. The 1st X1 chased down 190, James Price leading the way with a superb 91* and was well supported by Michael Rushmere (33). Damon Weeks was the pick of the bowlers with 2/24. The Colts X1 put in a clinical performance in the field, especially being their first outing of the season and bowled St Charles out for 86 on a bowler friendly pitch. Andrew Rushmere finished with 3/3 on the back of superb spells from Murray Leith and Panashe Muyeye. With the bat, Murray Leith (28) and Andrew Rushmere (25) displayed great determination to come through a tough new ball period and secured a 7 wicket win for the Colts X1. It was a much needed impressive start before the next tough fixtures vs. a provincial Dolphins X1 and Maritzburg College.
