Umhlali Preparatory School (219-7) beat Glenwood Preparatory School (119 all out) by 100 runs in their U13B clash at Umhlali’s Paul Prokopiak field on Saturday.

The win gives Umhlali their first victory of the season following a narrow two-wicket defeat to Merchiston Preparatory School last weekend.

Umhlali won the toss and decided to bat. Glenwood’s attack began well, and they had the North Coast side 12 for 2 in the fourth over. But Mason Hulsen and Elijah White consolidated with a century stand.

The pair put on 109 runs off 92 balls for the third wicket, led by Hulsen’s 61 from 49 balls, with six boundaries. White, however, looked to build around his partner. He added 34 from 57, with two fours.

Both batters fell inside 14 balls, but Umhlali’s last three partnerships increased the tempo, scoring at better than a run-a-ball to fire the home team past 200. Tyler Stewart scored a quickfire 41 off 30 balls and Wandile Zulu added 28 from 29 balls. Udayn Pillay was the pick of Glenwood’s bowlers with figures of 3-42 from seven overs.

Glenwood had to score at 6.3 runs per over to win, but Umhlali’s bowlers were economical, and never gave the opposition a chance. Early pressure saw wickets fall at regular intervals as the Durbanites slumped from 35-5 to 70-7 after 18 overs.

The bowlers were matched by some slick ground fielding, the standout of which was Panth Valand’s direct-hit runout which had shades of Jonty Rhodes about it (although one father thought it was more Ricky Ponting). The game was soon over.

Jared Marais starred with the ball for Umhlali, registering figures of 4-25 from his seven overs. He cut through the opposition’s top-order, accounting for three of the top four batsmen.

Tyler Jordi supported Marais with 2-23 from four. Evan Wuth, White and Zulu took a wicket apiece as the hosts bowled out the visitors with 11.2 overs to play.

Umhlali Prep U13A (271-9) also took the win, beating Glenwood Prep U13A (91 all out) by 180 runs in Durban on Saturday.

Umhlali’s U13A and B teams play Penzance Primary School at home this Saturday at 8.30 am.

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