Van Biljon steers DHS to victory over Maritzburg College
Hard work paid off for Durban High School on Saturday, as they saw off the visiting Maritzburg College by four wickets, thanks to Josh van Biljon‘s stellar unbeaten innings of 64.
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Having won the toss, Maritzburg took to the crease first and established a sturdy foundation for their innings.
Openers Caleb Thomas and Liam Armstrong were the linchpins, with Thomas reaching the half-century mark and Armstrong, who showed unwavering determination to quell the early assault from Durban High’s bowling attack, adding 20 from 59 deliveries.
Having finally toppled the opening pair, though, the DHS bowlers were clinical in working their way through the rest of the College lineup to dismiss the visitors for 156 in 44 overs.
Bhavesh Naicker and Krien Jughoo were outstanding for the home side, combining to take six wickets for the loss of only 41 runs.
Knowing they had a low total to chase, the DHS opening duo of Ismaeel Omar and Ethan Cooper patiently established a solid platform for their team.
It was, however, Van Biljon, who proved to be the difference. Despite Chad Mason excelling for Maritzburg with the fine bowling figures of 4/32, Van Biljon stubbornly resisted the College attack to lead the Horseflies to a statement victory over their big rivals.
On Dixon’s, Kyle Bryan led the Glenwood bowling charge as they knocked over Hilton College for just 81, which was exactly halfway to their victory target total. His contribution was key to the Green Machine’s success, as he sent the last three Hilton batsmen packing at a cost of only 12 runs.
In a game where runs were hard to come by, Glenwood’s joint-top scorers, Cameron Laing and Sbonelo Phewa, with 26 each, made all the difference for their side.
Despite an inspired innings by Camdeon Riley, who compiled a fantastic, unbeaten 94 against their formidable opponents, Clifton did not have enough in the tank to overtake the 227/9 posted by St Charles College in their match at the Riverside Sports Club on Saturday.
Riley resolutely resisted, but off-spinner Brendon Sunguro caused havoc among the rest of the batting lineup, snapping up five Clifton wickets for 44.
Half-centuries by the Zimbabwean international Sunguro and Cian Fortmann had propelled the team from Pietermaritzburg to a defendable total on a big outfield, but Riley’s 94 not out from 95 deliveries was undoubtedly the batting performance of the day.
Summarised scorecards:
Maritzburg College 156 (Caleb Thomas 53, Bryn Brokensha 21, Liam Armstrong 20, Extras 20; Bhavesh Naicker 3/15, Krien Jughoo 3/26, Ethan Cooper 2/29); Durban High School 157/6 (Josh van Biljon 64*, Extras 32, Bhavesh Naicker 20; Chad Mason 4/32). Durban High School won by four wickets.
Glenwood 161 (Cameron Laing 26, Sbonelo Phewa 26, Extras 24, Kyle Bryan 22; Matipa Denenga 2/18, Matthew Stewart 2/21, Ethan van Heerden 2/26, Brett Cutting 2/36); Hilton College 81 (Ross Boast 20; Kyle Bryan 3/12, Sbonelo Phewa 2/16, D Naraidu 2/20). Glenwood won by 80 runs.
St Charles’ College 227/9 (Brendon Sunguro 62, Cian Fortmann 50, Ntandoyenkosi Zuma 35, Daksesh Rajah 25*; Huzaifah Badat 2/23, Tim Saulez 2/33, Shiraz Perumal 2/45); Clifton College 161 (Camdeon Riley 94*, Extras 34; Brendon Sunguro 5/44, Jehan Adonis 2/32). St Charles College won by 66 runs.
