After beating Grey College for a second time in the tournament in the final, Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies) was crowned the new champion of the Westvaal North/South Tournament on Sunday.
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The local side put in a massive shift with the ball on a difficult Camp Discovery wicket to restrict the Bloemfontein boys to 129/6 from their 20 overs.
Zian Labuschagne was the Affies' spearhead, leading from the front and returning figures of 2/34, as he and Xavier de Wet (1/29) struck early to heap pressure on Grey.
With his side wobbling on 34/3, Daniel Hattingh stayed calm and kept his head to deliver a crucial knock of 55 for the Free Staters, which included three sixes and two fours.
Adem Nieuwoudt weighed in with 21, while Dale Williams looked good until a brilliant piece of fielding from Ruben Groenewald sent him back to the pavilion for 20.
Needing 130 to claim the title, Affies found themselves in early trouble, losing their captain and leading run-scorer, Divan de Villiers, in the third over. This, however, created an opportunity for Jorich van Schalkwyk's class and experience to shine through. Together with Ruben Groenewald, he steadied the ship superbly in a 74-run partnership.
The Affies' and Titans' under-18 opening batsman scored four half-centuries during the tournament, which included a vital and patient 58 from 46 deliveries in the final. Groenewald advanced at a quicker run rate, tallying 44 from 28 balls.
Henru de Wet shone with the ball for Grey College, claiming 2/26, but Affies secured the title in the 17th over.
Westville Boys' High capped off a strong showing throughout the tournament by chasing down 188 to comfortably beat St Stithians by five wickets. Sean McCough was the KwaZulu-Natal side's standout, excelling with both bat and ball.
He snapped up 3/26 to put the brakes on the Saints' effort on a batsmen-friendly wicket at the CBC Oval. Then, he followed up with the Griffin's top score of 58. Seth Simpson was again among the runs, contributing a valuable 37, while Roxton Payne finished with 37 not out when Westville scored the winning runs.
LIAM THE SHINING LIGHT
The classy Liam Modenda was the Johannesburgers' shining light. He top-scored with a well-played 50 from 31 balls but didn't quite get the support he needed from the rest of the St Stithians' batsmen to put Westville under sufficient pressure in their run chase.
Wynberg Boys' High edged out Potchefstroom Volkskool, capping off their tournament with a win in a super-over. Chasing 172, thanks to a great effort by Volkies' in-form Berno de Klerk, the Wynberg batsmen, led by Beni Hansen's 45, toiled hard.
An unbeaten 28 from Shadley Allie almost got the Captonians home, but an economical spell from the leg-break bowler, Olefa Padi, stemmed the flow of runs, and matters ended all square after 40 overs.
Paul James let loose in the super-over, scoring 18 runs off the six balls, which proved to be a bridge too far for the Volkies.
Kieran Bouwers batted SACS to a solid six-wicket victory over Jeppe High School for Boys, making an entertaining 64 to lay the foundation for a successful chase of 144 runs.
Earlier, good bowling from Litha Kraai, who bagged an impressive 4/27, and Abhay Kalan, with 3/23, ensured the required victory target would be attainable.
Summarised Scorecards
Grey College 129/6 (Daniel Hattingh 55, Adem Nieuwoudt 21, Dale Williams 20; Zian Labuschagne 2/34); Affies 130/3 (Jorich van Schalkwyk 58*, Ruben Groenewald 44; Hendru de Wet 2/26). Affies won by seven wickets.
St Stithians College 187/8 (Liam Mudenda 50, Ombesa Matsha 32, Aidan van der Westhuizen 25; Sean McGough 3/26, Kyle McGough 2/22, Roxton Payne 2/40); Westville Boys' High 191/5 (Sean McGough 58, Seth Simpson 37, Roxton Payne 37*, Nicandro Kistna 31*; Tasheen Hanslo 1/24). Westville Boys' High won by five wickets.
Potchefstroom Volkskool 171/4 (Berno de Klerk 61, Louis van Wyk 25, Diaan van der Merwe 21; Paul James 1/15); Wynberg Boys' High 171/7 (Benjamin Hansen 45, Shadley Allie 28*, Moosa Gabriels 25; Olefa Padi 1/12). Wynberg Boys' High won in the super-over.
Jeppe High School for Boys 143/9 (Ryan Young 32, Aiden Reyneke 22; Litha Kraai 4/27, Abhay Kalan 3/23, Hamish Anderson 2/26); SACS 146/4 (Kieran Bouwers 64, Hamish Anderson 28, Reeza Salie 26; Luke Kent-Brown 1/20). SACS won by six wickets.