adminMbachi Mutukula-Maregera Sports Reporter
CAMPBELL Saul’s innings of 57 runs gave Peterhouse School a five-run win over St Johns College in the final match of the annual CABS Twenty20 tournament at St George’s yesterday. Twelve schools took part in the prestigious event with a total of 32 matches being played from Friday to Sunday.
Peterhouse were ecstatic as they retained the trophy which they had won in last year’s final against St Johns College (South Africa). The Marondera-based school batted first, setting a competitive 156 for three wickets and St Johns fell short, getting bowled out for 149 with a ball to spare.
It was a close battle as St Johns were at par with the required run rate throughout their innings and at some point they required 31 runs from the last 30 balls.
It however, became a dramatic final when St Johns required nine from the last over and Tapiwa Gadzikwa took two crucial match-winning wickets from his first and fifth balls.
“It is very humbling to win it again, we never thought we would win because we had such a young side. The final over today was very intense all credit to Gadzikwa, he is always very good at the end and he had a big job to do and he did it well but I think that everyone did well to get us there,” said Peterhouse captain Daniel Moolman.
Peterhouse fielded the youngest squad with four Form Three pupils, coached by legendary international umpire Kevin Barbour and former Zimbabwe all-rounder Andy Blignaut.
South African side St Andrews beat tournament new comers Hellenic School by eight wickets in the Plate final. Hellenic scored 186 runs for five wickets and the 143-run partnership for the second wicket between M. Mama (64 not out) and M. Leith (88) gave them victory in 18.5 overs.
The tournament is in its ninth year and this year’s edition featured three South African schools — St Benedicts, St Andrews and Kingswood College. A total of 2 000 spectators watched the three-day tournament which is the launch pad for the schools 50 over season which starts at the weekend.
Also in attendance on the colourful final day were Zimbabwe national team players Tinotenda Mawoyo and national captain Brendon Taylor.
Tournament accolades:
Batsman of the tournament: Keegan Liam (Hellenic school)
Best bowler: Jeremy Ives (St Georges)
Best all-rounder: Jeremy Ives (St Georges)
Team spirit award shared between Falcon College and Prince Edward School
Most sixes: K. Van Leevwen (Hellenic school)
Tournament standings
1. Peter House College
2. St Johns College
3. St Georges College
4. Churchill High School
5. Prince Edward High School
6. Falcon College
7. St Andrews College
8. Hellenic School
9. Kingswood College
10. St. Benedicts
11. Gateway School
12. Christian Brother College
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