EVEN though Kearsney College’s first cricket team lost by 32 runs in a game against Maritzburg College, captain Ross Coetzee broke the school record for the most runs scored in a calendar year.

Until last year, the record had stood since 1965 before being broken by Hayden Bishop, who made 1 428 runs. Ross Coetzee broke that record on Saturday, scoring his 1 433rd run.

He still has one game remaining this season.

On match day, Kearsney College took a young side to a sweltering Maritzburg College on a day when the toss was to be crucial in terms of the heat factor. Kearsney lost the toss and bowled first in the steamy conditions.

Also read: Captain Ross’ boasts top order cricketing skills

Chad Mason took full advantage of the faltering Kearsney attack which was to concede 38 extras as the innings wore on and contributed with a well-played 75. Litha Gonya was the pick of Kearsney’s bowlers with 3/23. College posted a respectable 213 in 49.1 overs.

It was always going to be a difficult chase with the young and inexperienced batsmen up against battle-hardened College matrics in the Goldstone cauldron, but they stuck to the task manfully.

Excellent leg spinner Chad Mason (3/38) and a few disastrous runouts compounded matters and Kearsney was bowled out for 181. Only Ross Coetzee (38), Aaron Blackburn (32) and Cole Young (29) offered any real resistance. College predictably won by 32 runs.

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