Richard White
NCU PRO

NCU Under 15's v Newlands Boys High School
Played at Western Province Cricket Club (WPCC)
24th March 2018

Alan Waite Reports

The first game of the NCU Under 15's trip to South Africa started in relatively cool overcast conditions at WPCC on Saturday morning. Mathew Humphreys lost the toss and Newlands Boys High school decided to bat first. The Wallace High combination of Michael Waite and Cameron Doak got the NCU off to the best possible start, Doak taking two wickets in his first over and Waite one in his second to leave the hosts struggling at 9/3. 

However some strong middle order batting aided by over thirty wides made it look as if a total of well over 250 was possible, but wickets for Shane Burke, Matthew Humphreys and Rory Ellery helped keep the NCU in the game.

The brakes were then really applied by Michael Waite and Adam Kennedy who bowled the last ten overs of the innings and restricted Newlands to just twenty-eight runs. They bowled full and straight and restricted the batsmen to only two boundaries. Waite finished with 4-30 and Kennedy 1-18

The NCU innings was opened by Shane Burke and Sam Topping who put on 32 for the first wicket before Burke was caught behind. Topping was joined by skipper Humphreys and together they batted excellently in a partnership of eighty-four. Humphreys was caught and bowled for 36 and the thirteen year old Topping was eventually retired for 56.

A couple of wickets fell cheaply and with the run rate mounting, it needed someone to increase the momentum. Mathew Daly arrived at the crease and smashed thirty from only fifteen balls to bring the NCU right back into the game. However when he was bowled, and quickly followed by a further three wickets, at 198/9 the game looked lost.

But the Instonians pair of James Lambert and Rory Ellerby kept their heads and aided by a straight six and four from Lambert they won the game with a scrambled single off the last ball.

All fourteen players participated in the game, and considering the boys had not played since last September they showed great spirit and commitment and were absolutely delighted with their win.

Match Summary

Newlands Boys' High School v NCU U15 XI at Western Province Cricket Club - 24 March

Newlands Boys' HS - 217 (45 overs: A Mafanga 54, A Bayoumi 47, A Scullard 37; M Waite 4-30, C Doak 2-4)

NCU U15 XI - 218/9 (44 overs: S Topping 57 ret., M Humphreys 36, M Daly 30; J Adams 

NCU Under 15 Photo © Ian Johnston/CricketEurope