The Graeme College U13A team enjoyed a successful and valuable annual tour to Knysna, showing great character, grit, and skill across four competitive matches in preparation for the upcoming Cape Schools tournament. Despite heavy pre-tour rainfall, credit must go to the organizers for getting the venues ready for play. Tour action kicked off on Day One against Somerset College in a match reduced to 20 overs due to wet conditions. Winning the toss and electing to bowl on a tricky pitch with a slow outfield, Graeme restricted Somerset to 79/9. While the seam attack struggled with rhythm, the spinners took total control. Lubambo Mabini led the charge with an outstanding 4 for 4 in 2 overs, well-supported by Oliver Hart (1 for 12), Ongi Nongauza ( 1 for 14), and an excellent fielding display that included two brilliant run-outs. In response, Graeme lost early wickets before Vice-Captain Linathi Ntabeni (24* off 38) and Lubambo Mabini (21* off 27) steadied the ship with an unbroken 45-run partnership. Graeme reached 80/4 in 18 overs to secure a 6-wicket victory, with Mabini earning Player of the Match honors.

Day Two began against Plett Primary, where Graeme once again elected to field first and bowled out the opposition for 75 in 18.5 overs. Christian Titus starred with the ball, taking 3 for 4, with strong backup from Jadon Byren (3 for 12) and Daniel Coetsee (2 for 11). In the run chase, opener Christian Kemp produced a brilliant performance, smashing 48* off just 28 balls to steer Graeme to an emphatic 6-wicket win in 11.1 overs, earning himself Player of the Match.

The second match of Day Two was an exciting encounter against Sweet Valley, who won the toss and batted first. Sweet Valley’s openers built a solid foundation, and despite disciplined line and length from the Graeme attack, they pushed on to score 142/3. Josh Potts broke the initial stand with figures of 1 for 14, while Mabini (1 for 17) and Coetsee (1 for 27) picked up the remaining wickets. Graeme started their chase strongly with a 38-run opening stand, led by Linathi Ntabeni’s explosive 29 off 21 balls. Amzo Gongqobe fought hard with 23 and Christian Titus added 15, but Graeme left their final assault too late and finished 18 runs short at 126/9.

On Day Three, Graeme faced Lochner Hof Primary at the prestigious Ashford Oval in Plettenberg Bay. Electing to bowl first, Captain Daniel Coetsee delivered a masterclass in swing bowling, finishing with 2 for 11 in his 4 overs. Josh Potts halted Lochner Hof’s rebuilding phase with 2 for 14, and Asemahle Mkhomto chipped in with 1 for 5 to restrict the opposition to 97/9. Facing a tough environment in the second innings, openers Linathi Ntabeni (20 off 18) and Ongi Nongauza (28 off 50) got Graeme off to a solid start. However, the team struggled to rotate the strike through the middle overs, leading to risky shots at the backend as they ultimately fell just 8 runs short, finishing on 89/8.