St Andrew's deliver solid efforts on tour

ST ANDREW'S posted some good results at the Independent Schools Festival cricket tournament in Johannesburg last week, beating Bishops and St Benedict's, and drawing with St John's.

They opened with a two-day game against St John's which was washed out by rain on the second day.

Facing a first innings total of 226 by St John's, the Grahamstown school replied with 259, Camran McFarlane top-scoring with 87 and Andrew Mills contributing 57.

Against a first innings deficit of 33, St John's batted carefully to reach 100/1 before the rain came down to wash out play.

In the match against Bishops, St Andrew's had little hesitation in electing to bowl first on a "green top". It was soon evident it would be a tough day for the batsmen.

Zach Melvill was consistent throughout his spell and deserved a superb five-wicket haul, helping to dismiss Bishops for 76.

The St Andrew's batsmen dug deep to see their team home by eight wickets. Gordon Everard guided them to victory with 44 not out. Melvill's five wickets came at a cost of 17 runs in 9.2 overs.

The game against St Benedict's produced a thrilling finish as St Andrew's got home by one wicket after their opponents had made 187.

St Andrew's slumped to 47/4 before Benjamin Dovey capitalised on a let-off at mid-off to join Mills in a valuable 77-run partnership.

Unfortunately, they both failed to finish the job and it was left to Ross Ferguson, who hit the nine runs needed off the last over as St Andrew's edged home by one wicket with two balls remaining.

Dovey top-scored with 66, while Mills made 41.