The teams 19-run win over Grey High School from Port Elizabeth on Saturday afternoon, virtually assured the team of the place in the championship, however, they did have to seal the deal with a win over Graeme College on Sunday morning.

Graeme won the toss at the Tuks D field and invited Saints to bat first. The side from Bloemfontein got off to a fairly slow start after losing the wickets of Garnett Coetzee (14), Henré Schoeman (10), and Gerald Coetzee (5) losing their wickets fairly early in the innings.

A blistering 64 runs by Calvin Flanegan off 30 deliveries and 44 runs by the leg-spinner, Ruan Cronjé, set up the fairly competitive score of 165/6 in their allotted 20 overs.

Cronjé also claimed two wickets for 17 runs in his allotted four overs. Phillip Schoeman was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets for 5 runs.

OFM Sport has it on good authority that the national U19 coach, Lawrence Mahatlane, has been taking a keen interest in Cronjé.

Graeme got off to a flying start with the batsman opening up in the first over and going for a good ol’ slog. He, however, only scored 17 runs before being dismissed.

Mark Amm showed the only signs of resistance and top scored with hard fought 27 runs. Ultimately the lack of partnerships led the team from the Eastern Cape scoring just 109 runs, leaving Saints with a 56-run win.

Saints will face Hilton in the final at 14:15 on Sunday afternoon at the Tuks Oval.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport