There can no longer be any doubt that the captain of the Pearson cricket team, Esa Gangat, must be regarded as a quality all-rounder.
On his ability as a left arm spinner he received national recognition, but Gangat promised a year or so ago he would also make a bigger impact with the bat.
Well, Esa is a man of his word.
This past Saturday, playing at home in Gqeberha, he dominated the match against Westering with the bat.
He played a brilliant unbeaten innings of 107 runs. Gangat scored his runs from only 102 deliveries, in a classy display.
Pearson made 267/6 in 50 overs, and Westering could only manage 51 runs against some excellent bowling. Pearson won by 216 runs.
Esa’s younger brother, Sulaymaan, known as someone who really works hard to better his game, is also enjoying an outstanding season.
Pearson was not the only Gqeberha team that was on the winning side this past week. Grey High beat Selborne College by 221 runs, Framesby got the better of Die Brandwag by eight wickets, and DF Malherbe was too good for Douglas Mpope, winning by seven wickets.
While Pearson is still celebrating their success on the cricket field, they are one of many Gqeberha squads preparing for the upcoming rugby festivals countywide.
The annual Kearsney Easter Festival was officially launched in Durban last week, when it was announced that 14 high school and 10 primary school teams will participate. Pearson is one of three newcomers to the festival, and at the launch there were a lot of discussions about what can be expected from this team.
Rondebosch Boys’ High and Rustenberg are the other teams which will be in action for the first time at this prestigious event.
Pearson impressed the organisers last year with their results, and the brand of rugby they play.
“It is good to look at up-and-coming rugby structures that wouldn’t necessarily have the platform to come to a major festival like this, and to give their brand and their team the exposure they deserve for their 2023 performances,” said the director of Sport at Kearsney, Waylon Murray, when explaining the invite to Pearson and the other newcomers.
Last year Pearson was involved in many thrilling matches, and was particularly impressive in the 25–22 victory over Selborne College.
Framesby has become a regular at the festival and the Eastern Cape will further be represented by Nico Malan (Humansdorp) and Marlow (Cradock). It will be a huge start for Framesby at the festival when they play against the hosts on Thursday, March 28. Pearson’s first match is against Westville Boys High on March 30.
This Friday and Saturday there will be plenty of rugby and netball action when Bergsig hosts their second Inland versus Coastal Festival in Kariega.
Thirty schools will be represented, and the main rugby match on Saturday at 17:00, will be between the hosts and Nico Malan.
