DURBAN HIGH SCHOOL
A golden era of DHS cricket
13 May 2020 – It is a remarkable photo: a collection of supreme cricket talent, all from Durban High School (DHS). Within the photo, taken on the occasion of the centenary of DHS in 1966, are eight test cricketers and three provincial players, writes KZN10.com’s Brad Morgan.
(In photo: back row, left to right: Grayson Heath, Jack Kaplan, Peter Dodds, Barry Richards, Lee Irvine.
Front row, left to right: Richard Dumbrill, Hugh Tayfield, Dennis Gamsy, Leslie Theobald, Trevor Goddard, Geoff Griffin, Colin Wesley)
At the time, the Springboks were one of the leading cricket teams in the world, soon to become recognised as the best, before South Africa was shut out of test cricket from 1971 to 1992 due to the apartheid policies of the country’s government.
Pride of place in terms of achievements from that team must go to Barry Richards, who was 21 at the time of the centenary match.
He played only four test matches in 1970, but went on to make such an impact with Natal, Hampshire and South Australia, with other stints at Gloucestershire and Transvaal too, that Sir Donald Bradman, he of the 99.94 test batting average, named Richards in his Dream XI in 2001. Bradman chose his side from a pool of 69 players and excluded, among others, Brian Lara, Viv Richards and fellow South African, Graeme Pollock. That’s a remarkable statement from the man regarded as the greatest batsman to have played the game.
In late 1970, playing for South Australia against Western Australia, Richards struck an unbeaten 325 runs on the opening day of the four-day Sheffield Shield clash, played on the WACA, which was notorious for its pace.
The Western Australia attack included Graeme McKenzie, who opened for Australia; the great Dennis Lillee who would make his test debut a couple of months later; leg-break bowler, Tony Mann, who played test cricket for Australia; slow left-armer, Tony Lock, who appeared in 49 tests for England; and Aussie international Jon Inverarity. Ian Brayshaw was the sixth bowler in the innings and the only one of them not to appear for his country.
Richards’ stunning innings was for many years the most runs scored by a batsman in first class cricket. It was finally beaten by Brian Lara in 1994, when he made 390 runs against Durham for Warwickshire. Durham had no international bowlers at the time. In fact, they had begun playing first class cricket only two years earlier.
Richards went on to tally 356, out LBW to Mann on a ball that the bowler admitted pitched on leg stump and was a wrong ‘un, set to turn further down the leg.
Hill Premium Quality Cricket Balls stay the distance. www.hillcricketballs.co.za
During his career, Richards totalled 28 358 runs at 54.74, with 80 centuries. In his only test series, the famous 4-0 whitewash of Australia in South Africa, he scored 508 runs at 72.57. His performances were highlighted by a remarkable stand with Graeme Pollock – in the second test in Durban, appropriately – during which he reached 94 by lunch before going on to make 140, while he and Pollock flayed the Australian attack to all corners of Kingsmead, putting on 103 in an hour.
In 1969, he was named one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year. In their article, Wisden notes: “Richards recognises his debt to Butler, to Wilf Isaacs, who is always ready and keen to help cricket and cricketers in South Africa, and to Leslie Theobald, his cricket master at Durban High School.”
“When Richards captained the South African Schools side in England in 1963, Mr. Theobald was manager, and their partnership produced outstanding results.”
The article concluded: “Richards’ horizons seem limitless, and it will be fascinating to see how far his talents will take him. Few, anywhere in the world, have his possibilities.”
A photo of Barry Richards in his DHS honours’ blazer alongside a bat signed by Richards and Graeme Pollock.
Lee Irvine, a year older than Richards, also played just four tests in 1970 against Australia. Like Richards, he also excelled. He scored 353 runs at 50.42, including 102 in his final test innings on his 26th birthday.
He played 157 first class matches, for Natal, Essex and Transvaal, tallying 9 919 runs at 40.48, with 21 centuries. It should be mentioned that in those days pitches were tailored to a more equal battle between bat and ball. Nowadays the balance has tilted in favour of batsmen with television’s focus on providing entertainment. Thus, an average of 40, which is very good, would, arguably, have been closer to 50 in today’s conditions.
Ali Bacher, the captain of the 1970 Springboks, once called Irvine the most under-rated batsman in South Africa. “He seemed always to live in the shadows of Barry Richards and Graeme Pollock. What I saw of him during the five-year period we played together, he was certainly in their league,” he said in a newspaper report in The Citizen in 2014.
Interestingly, Irvine and Richards played together for two years at DHS – Richards was a year younger – and Irvine, in his matric year, performed better than Richards managed in any of his three years in the 1st XI, scoring 1 310 runs at an average of 68.95.
Check out the Cell C personal and business contracts at https://www.cellc.co.za/cellc/contracts
“There was no question he was a world class batsman. He was light on his feet, had terrific footwork and he was a beautiful timer of the ball, very similar to AB de Villiers,” Bacher said.
Leading cricket commentator Mark Nicholas compared Irvine, a wicket-keeper, to Australian Adam Gilchrist, high praise indeed.
After his playing days were over, Irvine became a familiar voice to radio listeners and television viewers of cricket.
As if two world class talents were not enough in the centenary match of 1966, there was a third: off-spin bowler Hugh Tayfield. For many years, he was South Africa’s leading test wicket-taker and in 1956 he was named one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year.
DHS old boys: Jon “Pom Pom” Fellows-Smith, Geoff Griffin, Colin Wesley, Trevor Goddard and Hugh Tayfield. all members of the South African national team that toured England in 1960.
In an article about his selection, the publication wrote: “In the seventeen Tests played by South Africa from 1952 to the end of the 1955 tour of England, J. E. Cheetham’s spin bowlers accounted for 109 batsmen. Of these, no fewer than 87 fell to the guileful, tenacious Tayfield, an average of four out of every five.”
It also recognised the development of Tayfield at DHS: “As a boy, Hugh bowled out of the back of his hand and though his batting and fielding were sufficient to keep him in the Durban High School XI his opportunities with the ball were limited. The turning-point in Tayfield’s career occurred when the school captain, also a leg-break bowler, suggested that Tayfield should try his hand at off-breaks.
“At his first attempt Hugh took two or three good wickets and promptly resolved to concentrate on his new-found art. Tayfield cannot recall being coached or modelling his technique on that of any other bowler, but he progressed so rapidly that soon after his seventeenth birthday he made his first-class debut for Natal. The following season, 1946-47, he helped Natal to win the revived Currie Cup competition and attracted special attention by taking six for 27 and six for 46 in friendly matches against Rhodesia and Transvaal respectively.”
When the match is tight and every run counts, you can count of Clox Scoreboards of KZN. http://clox.co.za/
The 13 for 165 he took against Australia in Melbourne in 1956 remains the third best test return ever by a South African bowler and he, alone, is the only South African to take 13 wickets in a test twice. His 9 for 113 in England’s second innings in Johannesburg in 1957 is the best return in an innings by a South African, and it also saw the Springboks to a narrow 17-run victory.
Tayfield’s test career spanned 11 years – from 1949 to 1960 – and 37 test matches (South Africa played only England, Australia and New Zealand in those days), during which he took 170 wickets. His obituary in Wisden in 1994 noted that he took more wickets per test than Jim Laker (he of the famous 19 for 90 against Australia in 1956) and more, too, than the great West Indian, Lance Gibbs.
Tayfield also holds the test record of sending down 137 balls without conceding a run against England in Durban in 1957.
He played in 187 first class matches, capturing 864 wickets at just 21.86 per wicket. His test economy rate was just 1.94 runs per over and his first class economy rate of 2.06 was very slightly higher.
He also scored 862 runs in tests and 3 668 in first class cricket, with a best of 75 in tests and 77 in first class games.
To this day, Hugh Tayfield remains, comfortably, the leading test wicket-taker all-time among South African spinners.
Trevor Goddard, a left-handed all-rounder, was also part of the legendary Springbok side of 1970. But he enjoyed a much longer test career, having played for South Africa for the first time in 1955.
He played 41 test matches, scoring 2 516 runs at an average of 34.46. A century, though, eluded him until his 62nd innings, when he scored 112 in the second innings of the fourth test against England in Johannesburg in 1965, having made 60 before being run out in the first.
Goddard also captured 123 wickets at 26.22. He gave little away with the ball and his economy rate of just 1.64 runs per over is the best in test history for bowlers taking 30 or more wickets.
He is also part of a small, select group of players who have opened both the batting and bowling in the same test for their country. Interestingly, one of the other South Africans to have achieved the feat was Herbie Taylor, who did it twice in 1914 against England. Taylor also attended DHS and, like Barry Richards and Hugh Tayfield, was named one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year, with his recognition coming in 1925.
According to Sir Donald Bradman, Goddard was “a very fine cricketer”.
Goddard played 179 first class matches, scoring 11 289 at 40.60, including 26 centuries, and took 534 wickets at 21.65.
Geoff Griffin is an interesting name among these great DHS old boys and cricketers. He played only two test matches, but he achieved a first by a South African, which can never be taken away from him
In the second test of South Africa’s tour of England in 1960, Griffin claimed a hat-trick, removing MJK Smith, Peter Walker and Fred Trueman. Not only does his hat-trick remain the only instance of a South African taking a test hat-trick, it is also the only instance of it occurring at Lords, the home of cricket.
Unfortunately, he was also no-balled in that test on a number of occasions for throwing. His throwing issues stemmed from an accident when he was in school which left him unable to fully straighten his arm. The no ball calls led to Griffin, remarkably, claiming a hat-trick in his second and last test.
Sadly the throwing problem was never resolved and Geoff Griffin’s first class career came to an end at the age of only 23. He captured 108 wickets at 21.61 and scored 895 runs at 17.90.
It is a credit to Griffin’s character that when a lawyer offered to represent him in court on the subject of his action, Griffin, as reported by Cricinfo in his obituary, declined as he did not wish “to sully the great game further”.
A remarkably talented all-round sportsman, he won Natal schools’ titles in long jump, high jump, triple jump and the pole vault. He also played hockey for Rhodesia.
Pivotal Talent’s Online SubjectChoice (Grade 9s) and CareerGuide (Grade 10s, 11s and 12s) solutions replaces uncertainty with accuracy in directing your children to make full use of their potential. Check out www.careerguidesolution.co.za
Wicketkeeper Dennis Gamsy was another member of the 1970 South African team, who played in the first two tests before making way for the experienced Denis Lindsay, the hero of the 1966/67 series against Australia.
Easily recognised by his distinctive glasses, Gamsy also played 93 first class matches for Natal, scoring 3 106 runs at 23.70, with a batting best of 137. He took 278 catches and effected 33 stumpings.
Richard Dumbrill also donned the green cap of the Springboks, playing in five tests in the mid-sixties. In fact, his last test, against Australia, started on 31 December 1966 at Newlands, therefore in the centenary of DHS.
His first test, a draw against England at Lords in July 1965, was his most successful. He took 3 for 31 in 24 overs in England’s first innings and followed up with 4 for 30 in 18 overs in the second to finish with match figures of 7 for 61.
Dumbrill’s first class career lasted 51 matches. In that time he tallied 1 761 runs at 23.48 and claimed 132 wickets at 22.03, with a best return of 5 for 34.
A sticky wicket makes for messy backyard cricket. Take action before it’s too late. www.midlandssepticservices.co.za
Colin “Tich” Wesley was selected for three tests during South Africa’s 1960 tour of England. Like Dumbrill, he played just 51 first class games. He scored 1 892 runs at 27.02, including three centuries, with a high score of 131.
A part-time bowler, Wesley picked up 15 wickets at a healthy average of 23.60, conceding 2.31 runs per over.
The remaining three players in the photo all played provincial cricket. Grayson Heath turned out in 46 first class matches, scoring 2 029 runs at 31.21, with a top score of 159 not out. He also claimed 36 wickets at 29.08.
Importantly, he also oversaw the merger of DHS Old Boys and the Pirates Kismet Cricket Club at a time when the DHSOB club, previously home to a long list of top cricket stars, went through a downswing. Today, that club is the DHS Rhythm Cricket Club.
Peter Dodds turned out for both Natal and Transvaal. A slow left-armer, he took 120 wickets in 39 first class games at 29.07, including a best of 7 for 51.
Jack Kaplan, a right-hand batsman and wicketkeeper, played in eight first class matches between the 1948/49 and 1951/52 seasons. He batted only 11 times, recording a high score of 62. He also bagged 15 catches and a remarkably high eight stumpings.
When it comes to a great getaway look no further than the five star Fordoun Hotel Spa and Restaurant in the leafy peace and quiet of Nottingham Road. Use Fordoun as your base to explore the delights of the KZN midlands. Go to https://www.fordoun.com/
About the centenary match, which was played at the DHS Old Boys’ Club: It was a two-day, two-innings, contest between the DHSOB XI and a Natal XI.
The Rest of Natal XI featured four Springboks: captain Jackie McGlew, Peter Carlstein, Mike Proctor and Pat Trimborn. It also featured another two DHS old boys, namely Charles Sullivan and Peter Marais.
In the game, Richard Dumbrill struck 114 and shared a partnership of 127 with Lee Irvine in the DHSOB XI’s first innings, but they found themselves trailing by 64 runs. The Old Boys were subsequently set a target of 188 runs to win in two-and-a-half hours and managed it in just an hour and 47 minutes for the loss of seven wickets to claim a three-wicket victory.
To this day, no school has produced as many South African test cricketers as Durban High School.
DHS come up just short as Northwood take tight victory
https://kzn10.com/dhs-come-up-just-short-as-northwood-take-tight-victory/
Captain Matkovich guides Westville to win at DHS
https://kzn10.com/captain-matkovich-guides-westville-to-win-at-dhs/
DHS come up just short as Northwood claim tight victory
The DHS and Northwood first cricket teams produced a nail-biting clash on Theobald Oval on Saturday. In a match reduced to 45 overs a side after a late start due to heavy overnight rain, Northwood held off a brave DHS effort to win a match played in difficult conditions by a mere seven runs, writes KZN10.com’s Brad Morgan.
“It was a nice tight game, a good game of cricket, especially considering we didn’t think we would be able to play,” DHS Director of Sport, Nathan Pillay, commented afterwards.
If it wasn’t for the cool head of number three batsman Kyle Northend, Northwood would have found themselves well on the wrong side of the result. Thankfully for them, he showed impressive resolve at the crease, working hard on a tricky track to accumulate runs and keep out the DHS bowling attack as all around him his team-mates struggled to deal with the challenge.
Kyle Northend’s stubborn stay at the crease was the difference between a tight victory and a big defeat for Northwood. (All photos: Brad Morgan, KZN10.com)
He contributed just more than half of the visiting side’s total of 176 for 8, finishing unbeaten on 89 fromm 156 deliveries, with seven fours. It was a stand out effort, especially when measuring it up against the other run producers.
Next best was extras with 28, while Jawaad Aziz weighed in with a valuable 26 as he and Northend put on 85 for the sixth wicket to rescue Northwood from a perilous 59 for 5. Adam Chislett, with 10, was the only other player to make it into double figures.
DHS skipper Josh Stride led their attack well, capturing 3 for 39 from his 10 overs. Sonqoba Makhanya shone with a return of 2 for 20 from his eight overs, while the spinners, Muhammed Moosa and Bonga Shezi, with 1 for 28 in 9 and 1 for 24 in 7, put the under batsmen under pressure by keeping it tight.
Captain Matkovich guides Westville to win at DHS
https://kzn10.com/captain-matkovich-guides-westville-to-win-at-dhs/
Muhammad Moosa enjoyed a strong all-round game for DHS, top scoring in their innings and also bowling tidily with the ball.
Three of the top four in the DHS innings failed to get going, but Moosa, who opened the innings, held things together with a watchful knock. His stay in the middle last until the total had reached 114, but by then he had tallied 53 from 102 deliveries, with four fours. He became the first of a telling three batsmen to be run out.
Corné Nel made some useful runs, hitting 20 in a stand of 41 with Moosa. Unfortunately for DHS, Humphrey van der Merwe joined Moosa back on the side of the field on the same total as the hosts slumped to 114 for 6, leaving the match on a knife edge.
DHS captain Josh Stride did a superb job at number seven of taking the game to the Northwood bowlers, but successive run outs of the number nine and 10 batsmen left DHS down and almost out on 142 for 9, still 35 runs shy of victory.
A win for Northwood seemed inevitable, but Stride and Lloyd Mulligan were not done yet. The skipper hit out, while Mulligan did his bit by adding runs and holding down his end. Unfortunately for DHS, it proved to be a bridge too far. Mulligan was the last man out, LBW to Dylan Ferreira for 10, while Stride finished on 28 not out, made from just 23 balls, with two fours.
Basil van der Spuy was the pick of the Northwood attack, consistently challenging the batsmen with his accurate bowling and lively pace. He sent down nine overs, two of which were maidens, and accounted for three batsmen. Opening bowler Thulani Chiliza did a good job, picking up 1 for 21 in his nine overs, while three others claimed a wicket each.
Basil van der Spuy (being congratulated) caused all kinds of problems for the DHS batsmen.
In the end, though, three runs outs and the undefeated bat of Kyle Northend proved decisive as Northwood came away, somewhat relieved, with a hard-fought victory.
“Our boys showed a lot of fight. We’ve had two tight games in two consecutive weeks. It’s a bit disappointing to lose the tight ones, but it’s a good learning curve for the boys. Hopefully, next time when they’re in a similar situation, they can pull through,” Sports Director Nathan Pillay said.
“Captain Josh Stride did very well once again,” he added. “He really is turning out to be a good cricketer, and one to watch for the future. He’s always in the runs or taking wickets, and he’s a very good leader.”
A golden era of DHS cricket
https://kzn10.com/a-golden-era-of-dhs-cricket/
DHS edge Northwood in basketball thriller
DHS, Northwood and their supporters brought the basketball court to a boiling cauldron of passion and emotion on Saturday as the two schools’ first teams engaged in an outstanding back-and-forth clash, writes KZN10.com’s Brad Morgan.
Fortunes ebbed and flowed and as they did the intensity increased and the volume from the spectators grew. This was school basketball at its best.
The spirit on the sidelines was terrific as the DHS supporters and Northwood supporters got behind their teams. (All photos: Brad Morgan, KZN10.com)
Despite playing away from home, Northwood began the contest looking a well-oiled and skilled machine. They moved the ball comfortably up and down the court and, in fact, settled far more quickly than DHS.
DHS take down Westville in lively basketball showdown
https://kzn10.com/dhs-take-down-westville-in-lively-basketball-showdown/
Bena Kabuya, at point guard, dealt well with the pressure exerted by DHS on the ball-handler, while Jason Smith provided an excellent foil for his skills and very quickly Northwood eased into a 17-8 lead.
Bena Kabuya’s superb skills in close quarters made him a handful for the DHS defenders throughout the game.
DHS, though, are relentless in their defence, often double-teaming the man on the ball, which forces the opposition into poor passes and turnovers, and that approach soon began to pay dividends as they clawed their way back into the contest.
Centre Asher Knox-Davis (featured image at the top) was an immense presence around the basket, rebounding powerfully, both defensively and offensively, to help his team wrest control in the paint. Meanwhile, point guard Emmanuel Mayiza soon had the ball moving nicely around the flanks of the Northwood defence.
When the match is tight and every run counts, you can count of Clox Scoreboards of KZN. http://clox.co.za/
From a nine-point deficit, DHS quickly closed to just three down, 22-25 after the first quarter. Alongside the court, the spectators were getting pulled into the spectacle. The DHS boys and a smaller but vociferous group of Northwood boys began to make their presence known.
Northwood’s supporters didn’t take a step back from the greater numbers backing the home team, DHS.
Working their structure well, the home team hauled in and then passed Northwood to take a 35-29 lead at half-time. The momentum was with them.
During the break, a fantastic back-and-forth unfolded between the boys backing their teams from the side of the court, their numbers heaving and bobbing as they shouted out their support.
Check out the Cell C personal and business contracts at https://www.cellc.co.za/cellc/contracts
In the second half, Northwood point guard, Bena Kabuya, made his presence felt in a big way with his outstanding close skills and smooth shooting. Time after time he was able to outmanoeuvre the double-team trying to stop him, using his skills to split them or his athleticism to round them.
Led by Kabuya, the visitors came roaring back and retook the lead, three points clear at 49-46 at the three-quarter mark.
Bena Kabuya drove for a lay-up as the pressure ratcheted up towards the latter stages of the contest.
As time slipped away, Northwood doubled their advantage, moving six points ahead at 55-49. That’s when DHS captain H. Noncembu (that’s the Christian name he goes by) showed why he had been entrusted with the leadership role.
All hustle and heart, he set the example, despite struggling with cramp, and took the game to Northwood. He challenged them on the boards and drove hard towards the basket, taking the shortest and most direct route possible. When he sank a free throw, he turned to the DHS supporters and let out a roar, which brought huge cheers from the throng packing the sidelines.
Pride and passion: DHS captain H. Noncembu.
Both benches called a series of rapid timeouts as they struggled to deliver messages to their players on court over the wall of sound that had enveloped the game.
With 30 seconds remaining, DHS, spurred on by Noncembu had drawn level at 60-60. It was electric both out in the middle and along the sidelines.
Then, with time almost expired, Noncembu sank a free throw to seal a spectacular 61-60 victory for the home team. As the whistle blew, the DHS supporters bounded onto the court, jumping skywards and shouting with joy.
The DHS supporters celebrated a heart-pounding victory with unbridled joy.
Northwood’s shoulders slumped. They had played their part in a thrilling contest, but on this day, under overcast Durban skies, it was, painfully, just not enough. DHS 61-60 Northwood.
Westville dominate Durban and District Gala
DHS played host to the annual Durban and District Gala on Tuesday afternoon. The event – featuring DHS, Westville, Northwood, Glenwood, Clifton and Kearsney – consisted of the 4 x 50m relay in all strokes in the under-14, under-15, under-16, under-17 and under-19 age groups and culminated in the 5 x 50m freestyle ladder relay, writes KZN10.com’s Brad Morgan.
Contested late in the afternoon, a decently sized crowd took in some good competition in pleasant conditions, with the powerhouse Westville team, predictably, dominating proceedings. A total of 26 events were contested with the Griffins excelling and capturing the honours in 22 of the 26 relays.
While Westville ruled the roost in the Durban and Districts Gala, DHS shone in the under-15 age group, picking up wins in three of the five relays (All photos: Brad Morgan, KZN10.com)
They impressed with their depth, not only in the various strokes, but also throughout the various age groups. Westville also swept all relays in the under-14, under-16 and under-17 age groups.
The best boys’ school swimming team in South Africa
https://kzn10.com/the-best-boys-school-swimming-team-in-south-africa/
Westville swimming phenom Luca Holtzhausen dreams big
https://kzn10.com/westville-swimming-phenom-luca-holtzhausen-dreams-big/
Check out the Cell C personal and business contracts at https://www.cellc.co.za/cellc/contracts
Clifton picked up a very impressive win in the under-19 freestyle relay, which, obviously, meant their time of 1:40.84 was the fastest recorded in any relay on the day. That was the only race Westville didn’t win in the senior age group.
The competition took place in ideal late afternoon conditions, with a nice crowd in attendance.
DHS were especially strong at under-15 level. In fact, they claimed three wins to Westville’s two, with the hosts giving the crowd plenty to cheer with victories in the backstroke, butterfly and medley relays, while Westville reigned supreme in the freestyle and breaststroke races.
When the match is tight and every run counts, you can count of Clox Scoreboards of KZN. http://clox.co.za/
A hallmark of the gala, which was very pleasing to witness, was the friendly nature of the competition. It echoed days gone by when winning was not all that mattered and the appreciation of challenging oneself and others was as important as the result itself.
So, well done to all the swimmers and the coaches (and moms and dads); besides the excellence of the performances, the good-natured racing stood out.
From the first event to the last, there was no doubt that Westville would claim the silverware as champions of the Durban and Districts Gala. DHS headmaster Tony Pinheiro presented the winner’s trophy to Westville captain Ian Brijlal.
RESULTS
1st: Westville 152 points
2nd: Clifton 107 points
3rd: DHS 90 points
4th T: Glenwood 69 points
4th T: Kearsney 69 points
6th: Northwood 57 points
DHS outlast Westville in lively basketball showdown
Hot weather and a light wind made scoring difficult early on in Saturday’s basketball encounter between DHS and Westville in Durban, writes KZN10.com’s Brad Morgan.
In stark contrast to the high temperature, both teams started off with stone-cold shooting. The defences dominated and were aided by some wayward shooting from both sides.
DHS overcame a spirited Westville first team 63-41 in an entertaining clash. (All photos: Brad Morgan, KZN10.com)
It took a good 2 or 3 minutes and numerous attempted shots before the first basket dropped. When it did, the game began to settle down.
DHS edge Northwood in basketball thriller
https://kzn10.com/dhs-edge-northwood-in-basketball-thriller/
When the match is tight and every point counts, you can count of Clox Scoreboards of KZN. http://clox.co.za/
Hosts DHS were the first to find some offensive rhythm and they profited from a number of forced turnovers to ease into a 15-9 lead.
The advantage doubled when DHS moved – almost imperceptibly – into a clear 24-12 lead, but Westville hit back with a number of late baskets to close to within 9 points (18-29) at the break.
Homeboys DHS offered up very few open shots to Westville, who had to battle for every basket-scoring opportunity.
When the contested restarted, it was DHS who hit their straps first, utilising their stout defence and strong rebounding in the paint to create turnovers once again – and hit Westville on the break.
Slowly but surely the gap increased and it became clear that this would be the home team’s day. But it wasn’t going to be without a fight.
Westville – a team in transition according to Sports Director Waylon Murray – kept battling to the end.
Time after time – when it appeared that DHS would pull away and turn the contest into a blowout – the never-say-die Westville first team responded with a flurry of baskets.
However, a sound structure and strong defence carried the day for the DHS lads, who ran out 63-41 winners in what was a hard-fought battle.
Now that’s what KZN10.com calls red-blooded determination! A gritty performance from DHS in less-than-ideal conditions eventually saw the hosts claim victory over Westville.
Source: Sunday Tribune
Pivotal Talent’s Online SubjectChoice (Grade 9s) and CareerGuide (Grade 10s, 11s and 12s) solutions replaces uncertainty with accuracy in directing your children to make full use of their potential. Check out https://pivotaltalent.co.za/about/
Captain Matkovich guides Westville to hard-fought win at DHS
Durban High School (DHS) welcomed Westville to Theobald Oval on Saturday for a 50-over contest played in challenging hot and muggy conditions, writes KZN10.com’s Brad Morgan.
In a low-scoring game, both schools’ innings followed similar patterns but, after a poor start, Westville managed a better repair-job of their innings to secure a hard-fought 5-wicket victory, with 3 overs in hand.
In 2 losses to Clifton the previous week, Westville had conceded rapid runs with the new ball, with Clifton getting away to fast starts in both matches.
So it was very pleasing to Westville coach Tomo Jackson to see his frontline bowlers
make early inroads into the DHS batting line-up while also keeping the run rate in check.
They were well supported, too, by a good fielding performance.
All-round excellence: SA softball star Troy Botha
https://kzn10.com/all-round-excellence-sa-softball-star-troy-botha/
Due to a slow outfield, both the DHS and Westville batsmen had to work hard for every run. (All photos: Brad Morgan, KZN10.com)
“I thought we bowled really well on a pitch that didn’t offer much to the seamers but offered some nice turn to the spinners,” Westville coach Jackson said afterwards.
Westville coach Thomas Jackson: ‘The pick of our seamers was Jared Slaney’
“Jared bowled 10 overs and picked up 1 for 17 – including 5 maidens – which is a class showing for a seamer.”
When the match is tight and every run counts, you can count of Clox Scoreboards of KZN. http://clox.co.za/
It was the Westville spinners, though, who really ratcheted up the pressure on DHS.
Jaden Arumugam sent down 10 overs and was miserly, claiming 1 for 21, while Mikaylen Kistna bowled 8 overs and snared 3 for 19.
DHS opener Yudi Ramanand held down his end after a poor start left the home team struggling in the early going.
Yudi then established some stability with Corné Nel, coming in at 5, and together they set about adding substance to the innings.
Ramanand was the first to go, though, when, after looking relatively untroubled, he played around a ball from the left-arm spinner Arumugam and was clean bowled for 31 from 71 balls.
Opening batsman Yudi Ramanand was one of the leading run scorers for DHS, making 31 before falling to the guile of left-arm spinner Jaden Arumugam.
Nel and Joshua Stride then held up the Westville onslaught until both were dismissed on 35, with Nel’s runs coming from 67 deliveries and Stride’s from 64.
Neither batsman hit a boundary as, remarkably, DHS managed only 2 fours in their innings, which was testament to Westville’s strong effort in the field – and the slow outfield.
The eventual DHS total of 145 for 9 in the allotted 50 overs was not enough, DHS Director of Sport and first XI coach, Nathan Pillay, admitted: “Conditions were quite slow. The outfield was a little bit thick as well, which made batting conditions quite tough.”
DHS Director of Sport and first XI coach Nathan Pillay
‘I thought we were about 30 runs short. It showed’
Kyle Hammond contributed 6 runs for Westville before having his stumps knocked back by Sibonelo Makhanya.
The going looked reasonably easy for Westville when they visited the crease, but DHS soon made inroads into their reply, capturing wickets regularly, aided by some soft dismissals.
By afternoon tea, Westville were limping along on 50 for 5
Sibonelo Makhanya doing the damage with 3 sticks. DHS were buoyed
Get a firmer grip on your possessions with KZN’s Titan Technologies. https://www.titantech.co.za/
After the break, though, Westville’s Ethan Matkovich and Anthony Dunford
set about wresting the game away from the hosts
Matkovich played a mature captain’s knock, recognising that there was no need to chase anything, with less than 3 runs an over required for victory. He played confidently, with little risk, and worked the ball around well.
The skipper found a willing partner in Anthony Dunford, who struck an unbeaten 47 from 73 balls, with 6 fours to help steer Westville to a hard-fought win.
Matkovich (who also took a superb catch to get rid of Nel to end the best partnership of the DHS innings) finished unbeaten on 51, facing 111 balls in a 160-minute stay at the crease.
Captain Ethan Matkovich starred for Westville with a crucial knock, which steered his side to victory.
“There was a decent partnership between Ethan Matkovich and [Nathan] Trevethen. That settled us down,” reckoned Tom Jackson. “Then, after losing Trevethan, a match-winning partnership between Matkovitch and Dunford went really well.”
DHS Director of Sport and first XI coach Nathan Pillay
‘All credit to Westville. Their 2 batsmen got stuck in, showed courage and determination’
It was a win for Westville, but also a game in which both teams came away with some positives to take forward into their next matches and plenty of reasons to be optimistic going forward.
FIRST XI MATCH SCORES IN BRIEF
DHS 145 for 9 (Joshua Stride 35, Corné Nel 35, Yudi Ramanand 31, Mikaylen Kistna 3-19)
Westville 147 for 5 (E. Matkovich 51*, A. Dunford 47*, S. Makhanya 3-31)
Westville won by 5 wickets
Source: Sunday Tribune.
No strangers to DHS’s main cricket & rugby field, MCOB Joel Stransky and MHSOB Will Hardie know that their Pivotal Talent offering wins matches. School Subject Choice and Career Guidance at its best. https://pivotaltalent.co.za/about/
Westville stave off DHS fightback to take water polo honours
DHS and Westville did battle in the water polo pool in Durban on Thursday, writes KZN10.com’s Brad Morgan, with Westville claiming the honours in clashes between the U14A, U15A, 2nd and 1st teams.
Leading up to the main game, DHS made Westville work hard in each of the contests, but each time the visitors managed to put together a decisive chukka to claim the honours.
With a dominant opening half, the visiting Westville 1st team was able to come away with a deserved victory over a plucky DHS line-up (all images by Brad Morgan).
Quality Clifton 1st waterpolo outgun gutsy Kearsney
https://kzn10.com/quality-clifton-firsts-water-polo-outgun-gutsy-kearsney/
In the U14A game, Westville finished strongly to record a 12-2 victory, in a contest which had been a lot closer until the finishing stages.
The U15A sides went blow for blow until the last chukka, when Westville scored 3 unanswered goals to break open a tight game to claim a 9-4 win.
After Westville had opened a small early lead in the 2nd team showdown, DHS fought back to reduce the deficit to 2-3, but Westville, as their younger age-group teams had done, finished well to secure a 6-3 victory.
Get a firmer grip on your possessions with KZN’s Titan Technologies. https://www.titantech.co.za/
In the clash of the first teams, Westville started confidently, forcing DHS into numerous errors with some stifling defence.
That, allied with strong play upfront, saw the visitors roar out to a 4-1 lead after the 1st chukka.
It didn’t get better for DHS in the 2nd chukka either, as Westville looked sharp, tacking on a further 4 goals without response.
Outplayed in the 1st half, DHS came back to make a game of it against Westville.
At 8-1 down at halftime, DHS looked as if they were on their way to a hiding, but credit to the home team – a side made up mostly of grade 10 boys, according to DHS Director of Sport Nathan Pillay – as they powered their way back into the contest after the break.
Forcing turnovers and then hitting Westville with rapid counter-attacks, they ripped off 4 unanswered goals before the visitors were able to find a response.
It was 10-5 at the end of the 3rd chukka and when the teams shared the honours 2-2 in the final chukka it ended 12-7 to Westville.
When the match is tight and every goal counts, you can count on Clox Scoreboards of KZN. http://clox.co.za/
Ultimately, it was a convincing Westville win, but DHS will take heart from a spirited showing in the 2nd half of the contest.
RESULTS
1st DHS 7-12 Westville
2nd DHS 3-6 Westville
U15A DHS 4-9 Westville
U14A DHS 2 -12 Westville
Check out the Cell C personal and business contracts at https://www.cellc.co.za/cellc/contracts
With Day 1 of Maritzburg College’s 60th annual Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week just 17 short days away I was clearing out my cupboard and came upon a December 2018 feature I wrote on Mike Bechet, the outstanding SA schoolboy cricket (and hockey) coach. The upshot is that my cupboard is still not cleared up… as I spent the next hour before going to the office reading and reminiscing on a remarkable man I came across for the first time in 1981.
Here are some of the SA School Sports magazine excerpts from that fascinating interview with Bech. Can’t wait to catch up with this legendary Durban-born DHS Old Boy and Jeppe first XI coach in the iconic Kent Pavilion on Goldstones.
Feature image: Mike Bechet with one of his Maritzburg College players who have made it big on the world stage and the SA sports star who inspires him the most – David Miller – pictured here at the SA Cricket Awards Evening in 2016.
Impressive schoolboy cricket coaching credentials of Mike Bechet.
So what does Bech – the longest-serving member of the SA Schools and SA U19 selection panel – look for in a schoolboy cricketer?
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR EXCITING NEWS
https://kzn10.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/PADDY-STAYTLER-PDF-GRAPHIC-ADVERT.pdf
Bech, is Gauteng schools cricket stronger?
Arthur Wormington played hockey at club and possibly provincial level with Mike Bechet and is your expert when it comes to UK property investments. ‘We align all the movables to create the perfect UK property investment.’ Contact the London-based Arthur at arthur@megaprop.co.uk
‘Our school structures are arguably the best in the world’
#ActionBringsRewards Just like a coach, the undisputed leaders in KZN scoreboards measure output. Contact the PMB-based Clox Scoreboards for the best results. https://clox.co.za/
The Mike Bechet you don’t know.
When it comes to great getaways look no further than the 5-star Fordoun Hotel Spa and Restaurant in the leafy peace and quiet of Nottingham Road. Use Fordoun as your base to explore the delights of the KZN midlands. Go to https://www.fordoun.com/
Bech’s thoughts on the life skills that cricket teaches schoolboys.
Learning how to drive is one of the essential life skills. Trish Sutton Driving School… tried and tested. Contact Trish right now at info@trishsutton.co.za
So what is it about schoolboy coaching that drives Bech?
Mike Bechet is director of cricket, head of boarding and a teacher/coach at Jeppe. So Bech, the teacher/coach or professional coach dilemma?
Pivotal Talent wins matches. So does expert guidance. Ask Joel Stransky & PT partner Will Hardie. Check out the Pivotal Talent SubjectChoice & CareerGuide solutions at https://pivotaltalent.co.za/
‘Surround yourself with the right people’ – Mike Bechet
Get your visual and depth perception 100% correct and admire your catches, runs, wickets and run outs. www.hilliarandgray.co.za
Mike Bechet pays tribute to his family.
A sticky wicket makes for messy backyard cricket. Take action before it’s too late. Contact Mike Bechet’s fellow DHS Old Boy on 082 337 2049.
Four of the best. Guess who played first team cricket too?
Mike Bechet is probably the most successful schoolboy hockey coach in SA history. Here’s Mike with just a few of his Maritzburg College players who went on to play for South Africa (from left) Tommy Hammond, Peabo Lembethe, Taine Paton and Tyson Dlungwana during a 2018 international series at Randburg.
The success of a coach is built on clear communication. https://cellc.co.za/
DHS boys have a seasoned rugby brain in their midst
Durban High School appear to have struck gold in their recent appointment of Nico le Roux as director of rugby.
The glowing credentials of new DHS rugby boss Nico le Roux speak for themselves and there is likely to be much to celebrate for the boys both on and off the field.
Nico has served as Impala Rugby Club in Rustenburg’s director of rugby for the last 4 years, until the 2019 Gold Cup-winning final.
Impala RC won the event twice and were silver medallists once.
New DHS director of rugby Nico le Roux.
In earlier years of a distinguished coaching career that had begun in 1994, the-then All Blacks coach John Mitchell employed Nico as his technical advisor.
In his 26-year coaching career Nico has also worked in various capacities across the coaching spectrum.
In no particular order here, these include roles from technical adviser, High Performance analyst, HP manager, attack coach, course presenter, coach educator and head coach.
Apart from Impala RC, among his notable employers and teams have been the Lions, Blues and Chiefs Super Rugby franchises, the All Blacks, the junior All Blacks, SARU and the Investec Academy (Elite player group).
Success is built on communication. https://cellc.co.za/
To complete the package, Nico holds a B.Comm honours degree in sports management.
The DHS rugby boys and coaching staff appear to be in good hands – and then some.
Source: SchoolofRugby
When the going gets tough, get your defensive set-up sorted with the experts. www.titantech.co.za
DHS appoint new director of rugby
Durban High School is pleased to announce the appointment of the School’s new Director of Rugby, Nico Le Roux.
Nico, a former technical advisor to the New Zealand All Blacks under coach John Mitchell, has worked with, among others, the Blues, the Chiefs, the Junior All Blacks, in addition to the All Blacks.
He has enjoyed a long and successful career coaching rugby, which began back in 1994 when he was appointed as the Lions High Performance Manager.
His career took a huge leap in 2001, when he was appointed as the Technical Advisor to the Chiefs Super Rugby Franchise.
Nico was then appointed by the Waikato Rugby Union as their Technical Advisor.
His period in New Zealand also included working as Performance Analyst for the Blues Super Rugby Franchise and the North Harbour Rugby Union.
The highlight of his stay in New Zealand was when he was appointed as Technical Advisor to the All Blacks.
In 2009 Nico returned to South Africa and was appointed as the Attack Coach for Boland Rugby Union.
From the Boland, Nico was appointed by SARU in their Coaches Education Department. He also consulted for the Bulls.
In 2014 Nico joined the Investec Rugby Academy as a course presenter and Head Coach of their Elite players group.
He was appointed as Director of Rugby of Rustenburg Impala Rugby. As the Head Coach, he has taken the team to several prestigious finals including the Community Cup and Gold Cup competitions.
Nico holds a B.Com (Honours) in Sports Management.
The DHS community welcomes Nico and his family to Durban.
Text source: DHS
Septic tank & sludge pit drainage? Why let the conditions drain you? DHS Old Boy John Smithers has got your back. email johnsmithers@vodamail.com.