Ewan du Toit the hero as Westville rolls to win over Northwood
Westville Boys’ High hosted Northwood on Bowden’s on Saturday in a limited-overs clash, with the hosts in a confident frame of mind after a thrilling Schools SA20 win over Kearsney College, which they followed up with a convincing win at Michaelhouse last time out.
Batting first, after winning the toss, the Griffins made hay, getting solid contributions from throughout their batting order to post a strong 259/7.
The good work began with the openers, captain Nicandro Kistna and Max Robertson. They combined for a 55-run stand, with Kistna the first to depart after being run out by Pride Buthelezi for 31 from 46 deliveries, which had included five fours.
Robertson and Seth Simpson advanced the total to 97 before Robertson was bowled by Ben Cilliers for 36 from 57, having struck three fours and a six.
Simpson and Kaeden McAllister then partnered for the largest stand of the contest, putting on 76 for the third wicket before Simpson’s innings was ended, also bowled by Cilliers, for 49 from 70 balls, five of which he turned into fours.
McAllister went on to the match’s highest score of 54, falling when the total was one run shy of 200, to Mason Storm. He’d smashed one six and added five fours in 74 balls.
Kyle McGough provided a boost in the latter stages of the home side’s innings, cracking a six and three fours in his 32 from 22, while Roxton Payne added an unbeaten 22 from 20 as Westville set the visitors 260 to win at 5.2 runs per over.
Cilliers was the pick of the Knights‘ attack, claiming 2/32 in nine overs. Luke Allen bagged a brace, too, finishing with 2/46 from seven, while Mason Storm and Kyle White picked up a wicket each.
Openers, David de Bruyn and Tuswa Phetha laid a sound platform for Northwood in their reply, making 46 for the first wicket before De Bruyn was caught off the bowling of Ewan du Toit for 20 from 26.
Phetha stuck around and helped advance the total to 60 before he, too, became a victim of Du Toit, who would go on to capture a five-for. Phetha’s watchful innings of 32 from 61 deliveries, which included three fours, would prove to be the visitor’s best effort.
Talented all-rounder Kyle White was run out for two in a big blow to Northwood’s chances, and Du Toit removed Dolphins’ Khaya Majola Week batsman Mfana Shange for only nine as Westville took charge.
Alistair Duncan stood firm, but Du Toit added the wickets of Ross McGlashan, for one, and Mason Storm, for a duck, as Northwood slid to 80/6.
Duncan and Luke Allen arrested the slide, adding 47 for the seventh wicket before Duncan’s defiant innings was halted by Kistna for 29. Allen followed on the same total, caught off the bowling of Sekou Shangase for 25 from 29, with a six and two fours.
Five runs later, Northwood was down to its last wicket after Kistna trapped Jordan Matthews LBW. Six runs later, Northwood was all out for 138, with the last wicket coming from part-time left-arm spinner Max Robertson.
Ewan du Toit was a match-winner for the Griffins, snaring 5/19 in 10 overs, four of which were maidens. Together with Roxton Payne, who finished with 0/23 from 10, he prevented the Knights from building up any momentum and ratcheted up the pressure as the required run rate spiralled out of control.
Westville skipper Nicandro Kistna picked up 2/23 in six, while Sekou Shangase took 1/30.
Summarised scorecards
Westville Boys’ High 259/6 (Kaeden McAllister 43, Seth Simpson 49, Max Robertson 36, Kyle McGough 32, Nicandro Kistna 31, Roxton Payne 22, Ben Cilliers 2/32, Luke Allen 2/46); Northwood 138/10 (Tuswa Phetha 32, Alistair Duncan 29, Luke Allen 25, David de Bruyn 20, Ewan du Toit 5/19, Nicandro Kistna 2/23).
Westville won by 121 runs.
