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By Johnathan Paoli
South Africa’s top cricketing schools produced a feast of action over the weekend, as teams across the country recorded impressive victories in a series of tightly contested fixtures that showcased leadership, composure, and individual performance.
Westville Boys’ High captain Seth Simpson turned in a classy all-round performance to steer his side to a six-wicket win over Michaelhouse during a match at home in Durban on Saturday.
“[It was a] competitive weekend of cricket for Westville, with strong performances across all age groups. Well done to all players and coaches for their hard work and commitment on the field,” the school said on social media.
After winning the toss, Michaelhouse elected to bat but struggled to find fluency, eventually bowled out for 155 runs in 47 overs.
Only Cody Sander (38 runs off 85 balls) and Rex Wardlaw (23) showed real resistance as Westville’s bowlers controlled the tempo.
Chasing 156, Westville began steadily before two quick wickets from Liam O’Dwyer briefly raised Michaelhouse’s hopes, but Simpson guided his side home with a composed, unbeaten 51 off 75, supported by Misbah Nair with 16 runs.
At Glenwood, Kearsney College survived a batting collapse of their own to secure a 24-run victory in a match dominated by bowlers.
Having posted 128 all out, thanks largely to Cole Young’s 31, Kearsney’s bowlers responded to dismiss Glenwood for 104.
Despite Kreesan Pillai’s brave all-round performance, Glenwood fell short.
In KwaZulu-Natal’s capital, Maritzburg College defeated St Charles College by six wickets in a spirited Pietermaritzburg derby.
Batting first, St Charles compiled a competitive 245 runs/7 wickets, built around a 100-run, third-wicket stand between Caleb Sharp (69 off 103) and Rico Honiball (63 off 79).
Late fireworks from AJ Bosman (43 off 28) added momentum, while College captain Daniel Nadasan and Sam Hughes contained the damage.
In reply, College lost Nadasan early but were steadied by Kyle de Bruyn and Akhil Bharath, who produced a fluent 84 off 112.
Dedekind, however, maintained an unbeaten 86 from 81 balls to carry his side to 249/4 and a deserved derby triumph with 13 balls to spare.
On the Jacques Kallis Oval in Cape Town, Bishops Diocesan College edged Wynberg Boys’ High by a single wicket in one of the weekend’s most dramatic encounters.
After Wynberg posted 229/9, anchored by opener Matthew Saunders’ 73 and Joshua Prince’s 41, Bishops responded with grit and balance rather than fireworks.
Despite spirited efforts from Ihsan Khan and Damien Harris, Wynberg couldn’t deny Bishops an away win at 230/9.
At Riverside, Pretoria, Northwood captain Kyle White produced a captain’s knock of 47 not out to secure a five-wicket win over Clifton College in a low-scoring affair.
Clifton were bowled out for 105, undone by Jordan Matthews and Ryan van Zyl.
Clifton’s Caleb Naicker tried to inspire a fightback with 3/21, but White’s composure alongside Luc Boyall saw Northwood home in the 33rd over at 106/5.
As the test cricket season rages on, organisers and participating schools praised the weekend’s activities as underlining the depth of South Africa’s youth talent, a reminder that the next generation of stars is already sharpening its skills.
INSIDE EDUCATION
