Saints defend Schools T20 Challenge title in Stellenbosch, Jason Knibbs leads with five wickets
JOBURG – St Stithians celebrate title defence success in T20 School's Challenge.
There was an entertaining conclusion to the 2016/17 edition of the Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge when St Stithians College (Joburg) lined up against Hudson Park (East London) in the final held at the University of Stellenbosch Cricket Oval in the Western Cape.
A fiery bowling display by Saints’ Jason Knibbs, who claimed 5/8 in 3.3 overs, paved the way for what was ultimately a comfortable eight-wicket victory for the Joburg-based school over the East London outfit.
Hudson Park booked their place in the tournament final following a nail-biting one-run victory over Wynberg Boys’ High (Cape Town) in their earlier semi-final clash, while an equally belligerent St Stithians XI swept past St Andrews (Grahamstown) to claim an easy 49-run win. By so doing, St Stithians secured yet another final berth after being crowned champions in 2015/16.
The Saints attack, led by Knibbs, appeared to be in winning form from the outset. Craig Meier took 2/15, while Jean-Pierre Bloem and Tristan Brooks played the supporting cast, chipping in with a wicket apiece, and resultantly placing Hudson Park in a spot of bother with 62 runs on the board, all out in 16.3 overs.
Saints opening batsman and captain, Joshua Richards made light work of the modest target as he came out guns blazing. The skipper struck a quick-fire 54 from 19 balls, including nine fours and two sixes, to lead his side to within a whisker, before losing his wicket inside five overs.
However, the writing was well and truly on the wall as, three balls later, the winning runs were scored sending a wave of jubilation through the St Stithians dressing room.
Edited by Allan Robertson
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