NKOWANKOWA HUB AND QUEENS GIRLS HIT THE GROUND RUNNING ON DAY 1 OF FINALS

Nkowankowa Hub and Queens High School recorded wins over Chatsworth Hub and Saints Christian School in their opening matches at the Switch Schools SA20 Volume 2 Finals in Pretoria on Wednesday.

In a nail-biting contest, Koketso Mokgara scooped up three wickets to help Queens High to a one-wicket win (DLS) over Saints.

Later in the day, Motlalepule Joan Sebele claimed a sensational 4/4 in four overs to put Nkowankowa on the path to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Chatsworth.

Boitumelo Chuene, the Queens captain, won the toss and asked Saints to bat first in a weather-affected contest. Her bowlers then restricted the North West side to 66/8 in 17 overs. The Queens' run pursuit almost came up short, but they clawed their way to 63/9 in 16.1 overs to snatch victory.

Mokgara, who claimed 3/13 runs in four overs, was Queens' most successful bowler, while Thanya Nkuna, Bonolo Phalane, Mankwana Moriri, and Nonhlanhla Danisa each bagged a wicket.

Commendably, Queens ensured that no Saints' batters made it beyond single-figure scores, with nine from both Reabetswe Dithipe and Jessica Joshua the best that the Potchefstroom school managed.

When they visited the crease, Queens also found it tough to get going. However, they did just enough to win.

Nonkululeko Mthethwa, Nonhlanhla Danisa, and Mikhulu Mtuzula were the joint top-scorers with 11 runs each, and those 33 runs set the Johannesburg side on course for a heart-pounding victory.

Nkowankowa's captain, Respect Mabasa, made the right call when she chose to bowl first after winning the toss. Her bowlers responded superbly and bundled Chatsworth out for only 41 runs in 17 overs. The Limpopo side then took 10 overs to reach 42/2.

Sebele accounted for three of Chatsworth's top five batters, including their star player, Shreeya Subbiah. The Chatsworth opener fought a lone battle with her 20 runs from 25 balls.

None of her teammates stayed in long enough to join her in double figures. Seyuri Gounden, with a laboured six from 28 deliveries, was the KZN team's second-highest scorer.

Lunghelo Malungana and Shelfa Mukhari were the other wicket-takers for Nkowankowa. Malungana snapped up 3/10 in four overs, and Mukhari took 2/9 in two.

Tshepiso Dinoe Motswi led Nkowankowa's chase with 18 runs from 22 balls. Karabo Monyela (6), Respect Mabasa (6*), and Ripfumelo Nkuna (6*) chipped in with a combined 18 runs of their own.

SUMMARISED SCORECARDS

Switch Schools SA20 Volume 2 Finals | Girls Division

Day 1 | Wednesday, 4 March 2025 at University of Pretoria

Saints Christian School 66/8 (Koketso Mokgara 3/13)

Queens High School 63/9 (Nonkululeko Mthethwa 11, Nonhlanhla Danisa 11, Mikhulu Mtuzula 11; Gogontle Padi 2/12, Siphokazi Duma 2/15).

Queens won by one wicket. Player of the Match: Koketso Mokgara (Saints)

Chatsworth Hub 41/10 (Shreeya Subbiah 20; Motlalepule Sebele 4/4, Lunghelo Malungana 3/10, Shelfa Mukhari 2/9)

Nkowankowa Hub 42/2 (Tshepiso Motswi 18; Aadya Mohun 1/3).

Nkowankowa Hub won by eight wickets. Player of the match: Motlalepule Sebele (Nkowankowa Hub)