KOVSIE SMASH T20 TOURNAMENT IN BLOEMFONTEIN

MATCH 1: MERENSKY 1 VS BETHLEHEM VOORTREKKER 1

Merensky batted first and scored 94/8 in 20 overs. Bethlehem Voortrekker scored 95/4 in 17.4 overs.

Bethlehem Voortrekker won the match by 6 wickets.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES

With the bat:
Xander Schoeman scored 18 runs from 32 balls.
Waldo Mouton scored 12 runs from 11 balls.

With the ball:
Wean Kruger took 2 wickets for 16 runs.
Cashan Jacobsz took 1 wicket for 18 runs.
Xander Schoeman took 1 wicket for 23 runs.

MATCH 2: MERENSKY 1 VS OVERVAAL 1

Merensky batted first and scored 75/10 in 18.4 overs. Overvaal scored 76/5 in 19.2 innings.

Overvaal won the match in the last innings by 5 wickets.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES

With the bat:
Rinaldo Bornman scored 26 runs from 33 balls.
Zak van Niekerk scored 13 runs from 16 balls, not out.

With the ball:
Waldo Mouton took 2 wickets for 8 runs.
Wean Kruger took 1 wicket for 12 runs.

MATCH 3: MERENSKY 1 VS TRIO 1

Trio batted first and scored 90/8 in 20 overs. Merensky scored 91/5 in 13.2 innings.

Merensky Agricultural Academy won the match by 5 wickets.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES

With the bat:
Rinaldo Bornman scored 51 runs from 38 balls.
JP Botha scored 15 runs from 19 balls.

With the ball:
Cashan Jacobsz took 2 wickets for 16 runs.
Rinaldo Bornman took 2 wickets for 17 runs.
Wean Kruger took 1 wicket for 3 runs.

The man of the match is Rinaldo Bornman.

MATCH 4: MERENSKY 1 VS WESVALIA 1

Wesvalia batted first and scored 108/5 in 20 overs. Merensky scored 112/3 in 19.3 innings.

Merensky Agricultural Academy won the match by 7 wickets.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES

With the bat:
Rinaldo Bornmann scored 64 runs from 55 balls, not out.
Schalk Rossouw scored 26 runs from 36 balls, not out.

With the ball:
Cashan Jacobsz took 4 wickets for 13 runs.
Wean Kruger took 1 wicket for 14 runs.

The men of the match are Cashan Jacobsz and Rinaldo Bornmann.

MATCH 5: MERENSKY 1 VS GOUDVELD 1

Goudveld batted first and scored 92/10 in 18.4 overs. Merensky scored 93/6 in 17.2 innings.

Merensky Agricultural Academy won the match by 4 wickets.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES

With the bat:
Luka Heinlein scored 27 runs from 27 balls.
JP Botha scored 21 runs from 22 balls.
Schalk Rossouw scored 18 runs from 20 balls.

With the ball:

Cashan Jacobsz took 4 wickets for 15 runs.
Rinaldo Bornman took 3 wickets for 21 runs.
Xander Schoeman took 2 wickets for 22 runs.

The man of the match is Cashan Jacobsz.

MATCH 6: MERENSKY 1 VS JIM FOUCHÉ 1

Jim Fouché batted first and scored 116/7 in 20 overs. Merensky scored 118/5 in 16.3 innings.

Merensky Agricultural Academy won the match by 5 wickets.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES

With the bat:
Rinaldo Bornman scored 44 runs from 30 balls.
JP Botha scored 34 runs from 23 balls.
Schalk Rossouw scored 20 runs from 26 balls.

With the ball:
Bernard Wandrag took 2 wickets for 9 runs.
Topher Elphinstone took 2 wickets for 12 runs.
Rinaldo Bornman took 2 wickets for 12 runs.

The man of the match is Rinaldo Bornman.

MATCH 7: MERENSKY 1 VS EASTERN COURT 1

Eastern Court batted first and scored 112/10 in 20 overs. Merensky scored 113/5 in 18.4 innings.

Merensky Agricultural Academy won the final by 5 wickets.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES

With the bat:
JP Botha scored 47 runs from 48 balls, not out.
Wean Kruger scored 16 runs from 12 balls, not out.

With the ball:
Ian Meyer took 3 wickets for 4 runs.
Bernard Wandrag took 3 wickets for 16 runs.
Luka Heinlein took 2 wickets for 18 runs.

The man of the match is Ian Meyer.

Merensky ended as the winner of the Shield division.

Congratulations to Rinaldo Bornman and Cashan Jacobsz who were selected for the invitational team that will tour the Netherlands later in the year.

GOOGLE PHOTOS ALBUM (Ankia Botha): https://photos.app.goo.gl/Wwt9BDKcvRWafeqm7

MERENSKY CRICKET TEAMS OFF TO A GREAT START AT FINSBURY TOURNAMENT

24 January 2025
Thrilling victory for Merensky u15A against Linden u15A

In a tightly contested match, Merensky’s u15A team defeated Hoërskool Linden by two wickets. Linden scored 195 runs in 40.3 overs, after which Merensky chased it down with 199/8 in 46.5 overs to secure the win. 

Outstanding Performances:

With the ball:
- Yogi Brahmbatt: 10 overs, 3 wickets for 33 runs.
- Willem Mostert: 5.3 overs, 2 wickets for 15 runs.
- Ethan Swiglaar: 4 overs, 2 wickets for 11 runs.

With the bat:.
- Muhammed Khan: 60 runs off 73 balls.
- Ethan Swiglaar: 22 runs off 87 balls.

The man of the match was Muhammed Khan.

25 January 2025
Wesvalia u15A defeats Merensky u15 A

Wesvalia beat Merensky by seven wickets after restricting them to 104/10. Wesvalia chased the target with ease, scoring 108/3.

Outstanding Performances:

With the ball:
- Willem Mostert, Lourens Gouws, and Altus Vorster each took one wicket.

With the bat:.
- Lourens Gouws: 18 runs off 57 balls.
- Muhammed Khan: 15 runs off 32 balls.

25 January 2025
Merensky’s first team shines against Wesvalia

In a short but intense match, Merensky’s first team defeated Wesvalia’s first team by four wickets. Wesvalia was bowled out for 53/9 in 20.2 overs, thanks to an incredible bowling performance by Rinaldo Bornman, who took seven wickets for just 21 runs. Merensky chased the target with 57/6 in 14.3 overs. 

Outstanding Performances:

With the ball:
- Rinaldo Bornman: 6.2 overs, 7 wickets for 21 runs.

With the bat:
- JP Botha: 15 runs off 22 balls, not out.

The man of the match was Rinaldo Bornman.

Merensky’s teams have showcased their determination and talent early in the year, with exceptional individual and team performances to be proud of.

GOOGLE PHOTOS ALBUM: https://photos.app.goo.gl/PyqTpBC76dzxkeqc8

CRICKET SA T20 PHASE 2 PLAYOFFS IN BENONI
Willowmore Park, Benoni – 31 January to 2 February 2025

Cricket teams from across the country participated in the SA T20 Phase 2 playoffs from 31 January to 2 February at Willowmore Park in Benoni. The event delivered great excitement and intense competition, with Merensky Agricultural Academy playing three challenging matches.

MATCH 1: MERENSKY 1 VS GARSFONTEIN 1

Merensky batted first and was restricted to 53 runs in 18.3 overs. Garsfontein comfortably chased the target, scoring 54/3 in just 6.4 overs, winning the match by 7 wickets.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Timothy Baker scored 12 runs off 13 balls.

• With the ball, Baker took 2 wickets for 30 runs in 3 overs.

Match 2: Merensky 1 vs Kempton Park 1

Kempton Park batted first and scored 90/9 in their 20 overs. Merensky matched the score with 90/5 in their 20 overs, resulting in a tie. The match was eventually decided in Kempton Park's favor during the "super over."

Highlights:

• Musa Nkuna excelled with 3 wickets for just 7 runs in 4 overs.

• Cashan Jacobsz took 2 wickets for 31 runs in 4 overs.

• Timothy Baker claimed 2 wickets for 8 runs in his 2 overs.

• Luka Heinlein scored 34 runs off 40 balls.

Match 3: Merensky 1 vs Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies)

Affies batted first and posted an impressive total of 171/6 in their 20 overs. Merensky’s chase was cut short due to lightning and heavy rain, and they lost the match via the Duckworth-Lewis method, having reached 68/4 in 15.3 overs.

Highlights:

• Bernard Wandrag scored 25 runs off 32 balls.

MERENSKY CRICKET 1 SHOWS THEIR METTLE IN FINSBURY LEAGUE

Merensky's U15A and 1st cricket teams competed in the Finsbury Cricket League against Secunda this past weekend, with mixed results.

Merensky 1 vs Secunda 1 (at Merensky)

The Merensky 1st team secured an impressive victory over Secunda. 

Secunda batted first and scored 167 all out in 45 overs. However, Merensky comfortably chased down the target of 168, reaching 171/3 in just 33 overs. The team won the match by 7 wickets.

Outstanding performances:

With the ball:

·         Timothy Baker: 10 overs, 2 maidens, 3 wickets for 35 runs. 

·         Luka Heinlein, Cashan Jacobsz, and Wean Kruger each took two wickets. 

With the bat:

·         Rinaldo Bornman: 78 runs from 91 balls (not out). 

·         Luka Heinlein: 54 runs from 49 balls. 

Man of the Match: Rinaldo Bornman. 

Merensky U15A vs Secunda U15A (at Secunda High School)

The u15A team faced a tough challenge and tested their skills against a strong Secunda team. 

Secunda batted first and posted a significant total of 234/7 in 50 overs. Merensky struggled in reply and was bowled out for 85 runs in 17.2 overs. Secunda won the match by 149 runs.

Outstanding performances:

With the ball:

·         Willem Mostert: 10 overs, 1 maiden, 5 wickets for 47 runs. 

·         Jandré Venter: 8 overs, 1 maiden, 2 wickets for 21 runs. 

With the bat:

·         Ethan Swiglaar: 19 runs from 14 balls. 

Upcoming fixtures:

·         14 February: 1st team away against Linden. 

·         15 February: 1st team away against Klerksdorp, U15A at home against Klerksdorp. 

Merensky's teams continue to show fighting spirit on the field and are ready for the challenges ahead. Best of luck to all players for the upcoming matches!

GOOGLE PHOTOS ALBUM (Ankia Botha): https://photos.app.goo.gl/CYsv6v9H5XaywPmT9

MERENSKY CRICKET SUCCEEDS IN FINSBURY LEAGUE

On 14 and 15 February 2025, Merensky's first cricket team participated in the Finsbury Cricket League in Johannesburg and Klerksdorp, facing Hoërskool Linden and Hoërskool Klerksdorp.

Merensky 1 vs Linden 1 (14 February)
Linden batted first and scored 143/10 in 45 overs. Merensky responded strongly, reaching 145/4 in 31.2 overs, securing a 6-wicket victory.

TOP PERFORMERS
With the ball:

• Luka Heinlein: 9 overs, 2 maidens, 5 wickets for 18 runs.

• Rinaldo Bornman and Cashan Jacobsz: 2 wickets each.

With the bat:

• Rinaldo Bornman: 64 runs off 81 balls (not out).

• Logan Jansen van Rensburg: 24 runs off 72 balls.

Man of the Match: Luka Heinlein

Merensky 1 vs Klerksdorp 1 (15 February)
Klerksdorp batted first and scored 76/10 in 35.5 overs. Merensky chased down the target, reaching 78/6 in 20.1 overs, winning by 4 wickets.

TOP PERFORMERS
With the ball:

• Timothy Baker: 7.5 overs, 3 maidens, 5 wickets for 14 runs.

• Waldo Mouton: 10 overs, 3 maidens, 4 wickets for 13 runs.

With the bat:

• Schalk Rossouw: 19 runs off 29 balls (not out).

• Logan Jansen van Rensburg: 14 runs off 29 balls.

Man of the Match: Timothy Baker

With these victories, Merensky finished first in their pool and remained undefeated.

GOOGLE PHOTOS ALBUM: https://photos.app.goo.gl/FJt6pAz2jukyuP1x7