The St Andrew’s College First Team cricket side hosted their counterparts from Graeme College on Saturday 3 November. Graeme won the toss and had little hesitation in electing to bat first on St Andrew’s Lower Field.
The Graeme batsmen, led by Eastern Province opener Bavuyise Manyakanyaka, got their innings off to a rollicking start. St Andrew’s battled hard to stem the flow of runs and Graeme continued with their momentum on the superb Lower field surface.
Manyakanyaka was the top scorer for his team, in his hundredth match, with a fluent 62 runs. Eastern Province all-rounder Mark Amm (46) added the finishing touches and Graeme posted a competitive 244 run total. Chris Poole bowled a neat spell of 2/34 in his 10 overs and Miles Danckwerts helped steady the bowling innings with his effective spell of 4/49.
Graeme and Eastern Province left arm swing bowler Siphesihle Madlongolwana bowled superbly up front troubling the St Andrew’s batsman and picked up two key wickets. Graeme were on top when St Andrew’s were 37/2 after only eight overs.
James Mullins batted well upfront, but also maintained his discipline into the start of the partnership with Callum Francis. The surface continued to favour the batsman, as James Mullins and Callum Francis compiled a quality 208 run partnership to win the game for St Andrew’s by 8 wickets. James Mullins’ 102 not out came off 110 balls and Callum Francis’ 101 came off 95 balls. Both teams put together a strong performance with both bat and ball late in the year.