{"id":63028,"date":"2025-01-23T14:29:18","date_gmt":"2025-01-23T12:29:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=63028"},"modified":"2025-01-23T14:29:18","modified_gmt":"2025-01-23T12:29:18","slug":"hilton-takes-a-third-crack-at-northwood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=63028","title":{"rendered":"Hilton takes a third crack at Northwood"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Opening
Opening batsman Alex Pitman played a gem of an innings for Hilton College in the final of the Schools SA20 against Northwood. The Knights won, however, and Pitman will be keen to reverse that result on the Robin Smith Oval on Saturday. Photo: Brad Morgan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Northwood vs Hilton College<\/strong><\/p>\n

High-flying Northwood<\/strong> School<\/strong> hosts Hilton College<\/strong> on the Robin Smith Oval<\/strong> in Durban on Saturday and they’ll be eager to again lock horns with the team they narrowly beat in a round-robin game and the final of the KZN Schools SA20<\/strong><\/a> in Pietermaritzburg last Friday.<\/p>\n

The Knights<\/strong><\/em> followed up on their success in the Schools SA20 with an impressive eight-wicket victory over a more than useful Durban High School (DHS)<\/strong> side at the Crusaders Club<\/strong> on Saturday. Their confidence is high and they’re playing good complementary cricket.<\/p>\n

Their top order has been in consistent form, with David de Bruyn<\/strong>, Ross McGlashan<\/strong>, Tuswa Phetha<\/strong>, and captain Kyle White<\/strong>\u00a0all getting among the runs in their win over DHS. Their bowling attack, with seamer Jamie Wimble<\/strong>, off-spinner Ben Cilliers<\/strong>, and left-arm spinner Jordan Matthews<\/strong> to the fore, has been balanced and backed up by good fielding.<\/p>\n

Hilton’s batting imploded against Glenwood<\/strong> on Saturday after the disappointment of their loss to Northwood in Friday’s final.\u00a0They have a talented line-up, though, spearheaded by opening batsmen, Ben Hockly<\/strong> and Alex Pitman<\/strong>, who have the ability to dominate any bowling attack, as Northwood found out in the Schools SA20 final, but they’ll need to play themselves in to be successful on Saturday. That was the key to the Knights’ win over DHS.<\/p>\n

Hilton possesses a nice variety in their bowling attack, including three good spinners – Luke Campbell<\/strong>, David Hill<\/strong>, and Simon Steyn<\/strong> \u2013 who should enjoy the Robin Smith Oval pitch. It offers a fairer contest between bat and ball than most wickets.<\/p>\n

\"Clifton's
Clifton’s pre-season was limited to two matches at the iHlobo Festival, but they won one and drew the other. Before the festival, they also convincingly defeated St John’s College (Harare). Photo: Brad Morgan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clifton College vs Westville Boys’ High<\/strong><\/p>\n

At the nearby Riverside Sports Club<\/strong>, Clifton College<\/strong> hosts Westville Boys’ High<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The visitors performed superbly at the Paarl Boys’ High Cricket Festival<\/strong>, scoring three wins and were within one wicket of a fourth, with plenty of runs in hand, in their other match when it ended. However, they went down at Maritzburg College<\/strong> on Saturday, suffering their first loss of the season.<\/p>\n

Clifton has won three and drawn one thus far, including a gritty four-wicket win at St Charles College<\/strong> in their most recent outing. Led by Tim Saulez<\/strong>, they’re an experienced team, having lost only two players from last year’s successful side.<\/p>\n

Coach Robbie Frylinck<\/strong>‘s boys are tough because they’re one of those sides that is worth more than the sum of their parts; they bat all the way down the order and their batting innings is only over when it’s over. Contributions could come from anywhere, although Saulez has been Clifton’s batting standout in the early part of the season.<\/p>\n

They also boast a useful, disciplined bowling attack, spearheaded by attacking leg-spinner Shiraz Perumal<\/strong>. He always challenges batsmen and doesn’t need to rely on them to make an error. He bowls wicket-taking deliveries.<\/p>\n

Westville’s batting misfired against College, but their top-order batsmen have all scored good runs for The Griffin<\/strong> <\/em>in the past.\u00a0They’re capable of putting together big totals.<\/p>\n

Much could depend on the upper to middle order of Sean and Kyle McGough<\/strong>, Seth Simpson<\/strong>, and Tristan Delvin<\/strong>, who made an unbeaten 52 against College. Critically, though, a good opening partnership between Bhaskar Sewlal<\/strong> and Ewan du Toit<\/strong> would make everyone’s job easier.<\/p>\n

Goldstone’s has been tough on batsmen in the early part of 2025, though, so Westville should enjoy the Riverside conditions more.<\/p>\n

Ewan du Toit was the pick of their bowlers against College, snapping up four wickets while limiting the Red, Black, and White<\/strong> <\/em>to only 1.6 runs per over. Not that long ago, in November 2024, he snared 5\/19 in a win over Northwood to prove that he can be a match-winner.<\/p>\n

When it comes to pace, though, SA Colts<\/strong><\/a>‘ fast bowler Dayalan Boyce<\/strong> will challenge Clifton’s batsmen.<\/p>\n

There’s experience in the Westville lineup. Like Clifton, they need to tap into it.<\/p>\n

Kearsney College vs Durban High School (DHS)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Blessed
Blessed with a silky-smooth bowling action, Litha Gonya is a dangerman for Kearsney College. Photo: Brad Morgan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In Botha’s Hill, Kearsney College<\/strong> welcomes Durban High School<\/strong> to the AH Smith Oval<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Having lost more than a handful of top performers from their excellent 1st<\/sup> XI of 2024, Kearsney is going through something of a rebuild. Thus far, early in the season, inconsistent batting has been a challenge.<\/p>\n

Then again, they have players who made good runs for the 1st<\/sup> XI last year, including Jason De Gryse<\/strong>, Jonty Wiggett<\/strong>, Aaron Blackburn<\/strong>, and Cole Young<\/strong>. What’s different now is they don’t have the luxury of the dependable performers that they had last year to partner with them.<\/p>\n

On the bowling front, their opening pair, Litha Gonya<\/strong> and Michael Groom<\/strong>, offer a solid left-right, one-two punch. They’ll need it against DHS.<\/p>\n

School<\/strong> <\/em>played their first match of the season last weekend against Northwood. All four of their iHlobo Festival games were rained out and that made a difference against a well-prepared unit.<\/p>\n

They’re blessed with top players, though. Joshua van Biljon<\/strong> will be the key wicket for Kearsney. Playing for the Coastal Conquerors<\/strong> at the Cubs Week<\/strong>, included among his four innings, were 50 against the Western Legends, in the first meeting of the sides, and 89 the second time they met for third place.<\/p>\n

Opener Ismaeel Omar<\/strong> missed out against Northwood, but he was a consistent run producer last year, while Taine Haverman<\/strong> offers DHS a talent-laden combination of batting and bowling.<\/p>\n

A seamer, he’ll be a key bowler for School<\/em><\/strong> with the new ball, while left-arm spinner Dhilan Naraidu<\/strong> is another player capable of laying waste to a batting lineup. The big question is whether or not speedster and SA u19 Emerging<\/strong> paceman Bayanda Majola<\/strong> will be able to bowl. He didn’t in the defeat at Northwood.<\/p>\n

DHS is a tough outfit. They don’t give much away, and they’re prepared to graft for their runs. What they need now is match practice.<\/p>\n

Maritzburg College vs Glenwood High School<\/strong><\/p>\n

Heading further inland, Maritzburg College welcomes Glenwood to Goldstone’s. The teams recently met in the Schools SA20. College, after limiting the Green Machine<\/strong> to only 85\/8 in their 20 overs, thought they were in for an easy victory. It wasn’t. The home team found themselves in trouble on 18\/4 in the fifth over before going on to a five-wicket win with three overs to spare.<\/p>\n

Glenwood’s downfall on that occasion was their batting and that has been their Achilles heel thus far. They showed, though, in a fighting draw with Ho\u00ebrskool Menlopark<\/strong> at the Grey College Cricket Festival<\/strong>, which ended with Glenwood on 275\/9 in their second innings, that they are capable of compiling big innings.<\/p>\n

Skittling Hilton College for less than 50 on Dixon’s Field<\/strong> removed any questions about their batting from the equation, last weekend, however. Top-order batsmen – Karabo Ntsieng<\/strong>, Krian Jugoo<\/strong>, Kressan Pillai<\/strong> \u2013 all made runs last year, but they’re still trying to find their groove in 2025.<\/p>\n

\"Maritzburg
Maritzburg College’s bowlers steered them to a win over Glenwood in the Schools SA20 on Goldstone’s. College will be trying for another win over the Green Machine on Saturday in Pietermaritzburg. Photo: Brad Morgan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Like Glenwood, College’s strength thus far this season has been their bowling. They have some tall bowlers, too, which has helped them generate good bounce on Goldstone’s and brought them wicket-taking success.<\/p>\n

Against Westville, it was Karl Dedekind<\/strong> who did the damage, capturing 6\/48, but telling contributions have come from many sources. Samuel Hughes<\/strong> and Reece Willson<\/strong>, with the new ball, have enjoyed success. Sphamandla Dzanibe<\/strong> has, also, had his moments, with Daniel Nadasan<\/strong>, Nathan Pembridge<\/strong>, and Dom du Toit<\/strong> contributing, too.<\/p>\n

Coach Robbie Coutts<\/strong> will be eager to see more from his batsmen. Nadasan, opening the batting, is a key player. He’s a run accumulator and the more time he spends out in the middle the more he will hurt College\u2019s opposition.<\/p>\n

Karl Dedekind has played some good innings, while Luan van der Merwe<\/strong> looks like he’s ready to make a splash, but College needs to turn potential into performance.<\/p>\n

Michaelhouse vs St Charles College<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the weekend’s remaining match, Michaelhouse<\/strong> welcomes St Charles College<\/strong> to the Roy Gathorne Oval<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

‘House won at Kearsney College last weekend. They put up a middling performance with the bat, with their top-order being held in check. However, their opening bowlers, Thandanani Zuma<\/strong> and Luke Mitchell<\/strong>, with useful assistance from Jean-Luc Rey<\/strong>, bowled them to victory.<\/p>\n

It’s been a theme, really, and Michaelhouse, like some others, will be seeking more from their batsmen. They didn’t do well on Saturday, but Ben Heuer<\/strong>, Ethan Muir<\/strong>, and Graydon Leslie<\/strong> performed solidly last year, while Kian and Michael Blignaut<\/strong> should bolster the top five nicely.<\/p>\n

At the end of 2024, Saints<\/strong> <\/em>bade farewell to some key performers, including Tuskers<\/strong>‘ Khaya Majola<\/strong> players, Cian Fortmann<\/strong> and Marcell Wellmann<\/strong>, and Zimbabwean international, Brendon Sunguro<\/strong>. Finding a way to replace their production is a massive challenge. All three delivered with both bat and ball.<\/p>\n

Last weekend, at least, Rico Honiball<\/strong> (44) and Caleb Sharp<\/strong> (50) were among the runs in a loss to Clifton.<\/p>\n

Rowen Rajah<\/strong> leads the Saints’ bowling attack. He’s quick and represented SAu19 Emerging against Zimbabwe<\/strong> last year. If Connor Vogt<\/strong> can overcome his injury issues, he could provide St Charles with a big boost.<\/p>\n

Another player to keep an eye on is Kaiyuran Naidoo<\/strong>. In December, he shone for the Tuskers at the CSA u16 National Week<\/strong>, taking 4\/16 in a win over the Dolphins, and 3\/24 in a loss to Western Province.<\/p>\n

Fixtures<\/strong><\/p>\n

Northwood vs Hilton College
\nClifton vs Westville
\nKearsney College vs DHS
\nMaritzburg College vs Glenwood
\nMichaelhouse vs St Charles<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Northwood vs Hilton College High-flying Northwood School hosts Hilton College on the Robin Smith Oval in Durban on Saturday and they’ll be eager to again lock horns with the team they narrowly beat in a round-robin game and the final of the KZN Schools SA20 in Pietermaritzburg last Friday. The Knights followed up on their […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":63034,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-63028","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63028","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=63028"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63028\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/63034"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=63028"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=63028"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=63028"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}