Havermann’s century too much for Clifton, rain stops Westville victory bid
One of the strengths of Durban High School (DHS) in 2025 has been the consistency of their top order batsmen, Ismaeel Omar, Ethan Cooper, and Josh van Biljon. When Clifton College removed the trio for a combined 27 runs at the Riverside Sports Club on Saturday, they might have felt they would dismiss the visitors for a modest total, but Taine Havermann turned that idea on its head.
The all-rounder, batting sixth in the order, delivered a match-winning knock, striking eight fours and a six in an unbeaten 103 from 111 deliveries.
He and Dhilan Naraidu, who entered after the fall of the third wicket, partnered for 94 runs for the fifth wicket before Naraidu departed with the total on 165, having hit six fours in a 54-ball stay that produced 42 runs.
The remaining batsmen delivered little production, but they didn’t need to as Havermann went on the attack, helping School to add another 71 runs before their 50 overs were up.
DHS finished on 236/9, led by Havermann’s century, Naraidu’s 42, and 26 from Lazlo Jooste.
Left-arm spinner, Blake Johnson, took 2/50 from 10 overs, which included the key wicket of Josh van Biljon, while leg-spinner, Shiraz Perumal, continued to add wickets to his record-setting season by snaring 2/41 from 10.
Then, after losing an early wicket in their run pursuit, Clifton made solid progress. Byron Ward and Yusuf Ahmed added 33 for the second wicket before Ward fell LBW to Sandi Mazibuko for 19.
Ahmed and Tim Saulez advanced the total by a further 36 runs before Ahmed was caught off of Ethan Cooper’s bowling for a patient 26 from 60 balls, which included three fours.
Saulez sent five deliveries to the boundary in his 34 from only 31 balls, but he was the fourth man out with the total on 98 for the highest score of the innings.
Following his departure, Clifton lost Hayden Drieselmann and Lawson Dinsdale for the addition of only three runs, with all three batsmen falling victim to the express pace of Bayanda Majola.
Shiraz Perumal offered a little resistance, making 12, but Josh Morley got stuck into the tail, picking up three wickets cheaply, to finish with 3/10 from five, as Clifton slid to 131 all out.
Majola, who triggered the home side’s collapse, captured 4/22 from eight overs in his last match for the DHS 1st XI.
Kearsney College vs Westville Boys’ High
Kearsney College and Westville Boys’ High just failed in their attempt to beat afternoon rain and mist when the sides met on the AH Smith Oval, in Botha’s Hill, on Saturday. When the match was abandoned, Westville was only 13 runs shy of victory with four wickets in hand.
After winning the toss, Kearsney took to the crease first, but their batsmen delivered a patchy performance. They started well, though, with Jason de Gryse and Rivaan Moodley putting on 31 runs for the first wicket before Moodley and Asher Hollister added 43 for the second wicket.
Unfortunately for Kearsney, Hollister was run out for a run a ball 28, which featured four fours, and his exit was followed by Moodley losing his wicket on the same score after also scoring 28 but at a run every second ball.
Kearsney added only one more run before Aaron Blackburn fell, which meant the hosts had stumbled from 74/1 to 75/4.
Cole Young played well for his 33 from 46, hitting two fours and a six in the highest score of the home team’s innings, but only Daniel Miskey, with 16, also reached double figures as the hosts’ batting effort lost steam. After 38.2 overs, they were all out for 146.
Opening bowler, Dayalan Boyce, led the Westville attacking, snagging 3/25 from 7.1 overs, while left-arm spinner, Ewan du Toit, grabbed 2/30 from eight.
In reply, Westville lost Aaron Rasmussen in the third over, but Du Toit and Kyle McGough took the total to 30 before McGough was out for 17. His departure brought Seth Simpson to the wicket, and he and Ewan du Toit proceeded to bat their side into the pound seats.
They advanced the Westville total by 47 runs from 46 balls before a run out of Du Toit by Rivaan Moodley parted the pair. The left-hander had scored 30 from 46 balls, sending five of them to the boundary.
Simpson was out 10 runs shy of the century for the visitors’ top score of 35. It had taken him only 31 balls and included seven fours. Tristin Delvin exited on the same total, which left Westville on 90/5 in the 21st over.
Liam de Villiers and Misbah Nair quickly snatched back command of the contest for the Griffin, however, partnering for 36 runs from 30 balls. Their stand was ended when Michael Groom bowled De Villiers, but his contribution was a useful 23 from 20 deliveries, with two fours and a six.
Just over two overs later, though, the game was called off with Westville on 134/6. Nair was on 15 not out and Aiden Baudach had five.
Left-arm paceman, Litha Gonya, led the Kearsney attack, picking up 2/21 from seven overs.
Summarised scorecard
Durban High School 236/9 (Taine Havermann 103*, Dhilan Naraidu 42, Lazlo Jooste 26, Extras 22; Shiraz Perumal 2/41, Blake Johnson 2/50); Clifton College 131/10 (Tim Saulez 34, Yusuf Ahmed 26, Extras 23; Bayanda Majola 4/22, Josh Morley 3/10). DHS won by 105 runs.
Kearsney College 146/10 (Cole Young 33, Asher Hollister 28, Rivaan Moodley 28; Dayalan Boyce 3/25, Ewan du Toit 2/30); Westville Boys’ High 134/6 (Seth Simpson 35, Ewan du Toit 30, Liam de Villiers 23; Litha Gonya 2/21). Match abandoned.
