Mother nature was in no mood to play fair on day two of the Switch Schools SA20 Volume 2 Finals, as persistent rain turned what should have been a feast of schoolboy cricket into a frustrating waiting game. Yet through the chaos and waterlogged pitches, the boys’ semifinals have been decided, with St Andrew’s continuing their imperious unbeaten march and Selborne College delivering the knockout blow that shattered both Jeppe’s perfect record and Affies’ semifinal dreams.
When the covers finally came off, albeit briefly, only two matches in the boys’ division produced substantial cricket – but what little action there was carried enormous consequences.
St Andrew’s weather the storm
The Bloemfontein outfit remain the last team standing without a blemish on their record, though not through any fault of their opponents. Their Group A decider against Paarl Boys’ High School descended into a soggy stalemate, declared a no result after rain interrupted proceedings with the Free Staters in dire straits at 7/3. You could almost hear the sighs of relief from the St Andrew’s camp, though they would never admit it, as the heavens opened at precisely the right moment.
Their reward? A semifinal clash with Selborne College at Tuks B on Friday 6 March, at 09:30, a fixture that promises fireworks should the weather finally relent.
Selborne sink Jeppe in DLS drama
The only match to reach a conclusion in the boys’ division delivered heartbreak of the cruelest kind for Jeppe High School for Boys. Having posted a competitive 140/4 from their 20 overs, anchored by a sublime half-century from Player of the Match Vegas Scott (58), Jeppe looked well-placed to maintain their perfect record.
But cricket, particularly when Messrs Duckworth-Lewis-Stern muscle their way into proceedings, cares little for sentiment.
When the rain arrived on the Tuks Oval, Selborne were five runs ahead on the DLS, condemning Jeppe to their first defeat of the tournament and, crucially, ending Affies’ semifinal aspirations in the process.
The East London side’s chase was built on grit and partnerships rather than individual brilliance. Merrick Collins (22*) and Reid Drake (26) stitched together an invaluable 38-run stand for the seventh wicket, dragging Selborne over the line when the innings threatened to unravel. Joshua Wilkie (36) and Dan Tarr (18) had earlier laid the foundation, ensuring Selborne stayed ahead of the rate even as wickets tumbled.
Jeppe will now dust themselves off to face the CSA Hub Invitational XI in Friday’s first semifinal (Tuks Oval, 09:30), knowing one slip-up can define a tournament.
Affies’ agony
Spare a thought for Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool of Pretoria, whose tournament ended not with a whimper but with a mathematical punch to the gut. Had Jeppe held on against Selborne, the capital city boys would be packing their kit for a semifinal. Instead, they are left contemplating what they missed out on.
Their morning fixture against Graeme College offered a glimpse of what could have been a statement performance. Affies had the Graemians on the ropes at 52/8, with seamer Armin Snyman ripping through the top order with figures of 3/11.
But once again, the rain intervened, and by the time the tournament’s permutations were calculated, Affies were heading home.
Friday’s semifinal showdowns
The stage is now set for Friday’s knockout action, weather permitting:
Semifinal 1 (Tuks Oval, 09:30): Jeppe High School for Boys vs CSA Hub Invitational XI
Semifinal 2 (Tuks B, 09:30): St Andrew’s vs Selborne College
Both fixtures pit contrasting narratives against each other. Can St Andrew’s maintain their unbeaten streak, or will Selborne’s momentum from their DLS thriller carry them to the final? Will Jeppe respond to their first defeat with renewed determination, or can the CSA Hub XI cause an upset?
One thing is certain: The Switch Schools SA20 Volume 2 Finals have already delivered drama in abundance. Now all that is needed is a break in the weather to let the cricket do the talking.
The semifinal winners will contest Saturday’s final, with silverware and schoolboy bragging rights on the line. Mother Nature willing, of course.
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