Thursday 23rd May

Stewart’s Melville CC 103 for 9 (20 overs); Watsonians CC 94 for 8 (20 overs)

The 1st XI achieved a rare victory against Watsonians in tonight’s T20 Masterton Trophy match in a closely contested match dominated by bowlers on a pitch that looked ideal for batting on.

Watsonians won the toss and chose to bowl first. Only Kris Steel, Shaylen Pillay and Hayden Sweet looked comfortable against Sonians attack or indeed lasted more than a few balls. Steel batting at no 2 scored 18 on a wicket he prepares in his daytime job and was followed by Shaylen Pillay who rarely missed the opportunity of taking a run in a well compiled innings of 40 and was supported Hayden Sweet with 22 who was dismissed last ball of the 18th over. In the chase for runs in the final two overs against the quality bowling of Malusi Siboto and Josh Stinson eight runs were added with the loss of a further four wickets. A total of 103 was less than maybe hoped for but in the event Watsonians never quite looked in control of the situation losing wickets in clusters as all five Stew Mel bowlers stepped in with wickets. Ultimately 21 was required off the last two overs with the 19th being bowled by Shaylen who bowled three dot balls in succession with only four runs coming off his last three balls. This effectively put the game out of reach with only seven runs coming off the last over bowled by Ben Wilkinson. Our three slow bowlers Sam Tait, Kyle McCallum and Hayden Sweet would all feel pleased with their efforts collecting six wickets between them at about only four an over. In the end a nine run win seemed thoroughly deserved.

The Watsonian professional Malusi Siboto has played with our man Shaylen in Johannesburg. He looked decidedly quick in his four alloted overs taking 4 for 14 but in the Watsonian innings Shaylen answered by conceding only three scoring shots off his first three overs and taking the important wicket of Michael Carson bowled for 3 in an impressive spell of bowling.

Scoreline: Stew Mel 103-9; S Pillay 40, H Sweet 21, K Steel 18. Watsonians 94-8; A Chalmers 36 no, Z Place 20; S Tait 2 for 15, H Sweet 2 for 17, K McCallum 2 for 18. At Myreside.