1 March 2025
In a superlative performance that will surely go down in Westville Boys’ High’s cricketing history, captain Seth Simpson delivered a match-winning display that powered his side to a dominant seven-wicket win over Durban High School (DHS) in the final of the W100 Series at Kingsmead on Wednesday evening.
It was a highly anticipated rematch of their last encounter in the final of the Clifton T20 Tournament, where DHS had narrowly edged out Westville by 15 runs. That day, DHS fast bowler and captain Bayanda Majola left a lasting impact on Simpson, striking him with a brutal delivery that led to a concussion. To add insult to injury, the ball ricocheted off Simpson, hit the stumps and dislodged the bails.
However, on this occasion, it was Simpson’s turn to take control. With his leg-spin wizardry and explosive batting, he played a pivotal role in Westville’s emphatic triumph.
First, with the ball, he claimed a stunning 5/11 in just four overs, reducing DHS to a paltry 101 all out. Then, with the bat, he showed his class, scoring an unbeaten 50 off 34 balls, which featured six fours and a monstrous straight six to lead Westville to the title with 22 balls to spare.
Reflecting on the win, Simpson said he was thrilled with the manner in which he and his side had responded after losing to DHS in the Clifton T20 final.
He’s had some special performances in the past, but, said Simpson, to produce the goods in a final was, perhaps, the most special performance of them all.
Afterwards, he received the Bowler of the Match award, the Batsman of the Match Award, and the Man of the Match award.
After winning the toss, DHS opted to bat first, a decision that was immediately tested when Westville struck early. Heath Stott clean-bowled Ethan Cooper for just five runs, but the response from Ismaeel Omar and Josh van Biljon was swift and assured. Van Biljon, in particular, was in fine form, striking two fours and dispatching a ball off his pads for six.
However, Van Biljon’s attempt to clear the boundary with a lofted shot off Dayalan Boyce‘s bowling was his undoing. A superb diving catch by Sean McGough on the boundary sent him packing for 15 off 10 balls.
Boyce struck again with the very next delivery, a beautifully directed yorker, which beat Taine Havermann all ends up. Suddenly, DHS looked vulnerable at 31/3, and the Westville bowlers smelled blood.
Omar and Lazlo Jooste steadied the ship with a gritty 62-run partnership, but just as they were looking to accelerate, Boyce delivered a peach of a delivery to send Omar on his way for 33. At 93/4, the innings could have flipped in favour of either team. Simpson ensured it went Westville’s way.
After switching ends, he dismantled DHS’s lower order with ease, claiming five wickets for just 11 runs. He removed Dhilan Naraidu for two, then cleaned up Jooste, Sibusiso Msibi, and Bonga Maphanga, with all four batsmen being bowled. His flurry of wickets, combined with Boyce’s spell of 4/25, left DHS all out for 101 in just 91 balls.
In reply, Westville’s chase was off to a steady start, with Sean and Kyle McGough adding 16 runs for the first wicket before Sean was dismissed for three by Bonga Maphanga.
The stage was set for Simpson to take charge, and he did so with typical composure. He combined with McGough in a 51-run stand that put Westville on the front foot, before McGough was trapped LBW by Majola for 17.
Simpson, though, was not finished. With Misbah Nair contributing a single boundary, Simpson continued his assault, and when Nair was caught behind for four, they had added 30 runs, and Westville needed just five runs to seal the win. They made it across the line without further drama.
With the win, Westville secured a fifth consecutive W100 League title, a testament to their dominance in the shortest form of the game.
Reflecting on that achievement, Simpson admitted, “There was a bit of pressure to maintain the winning streak, but at the end of the day, the focus was on winning. We kept things simple, just doing the small things right, and it paid off.”
Despite his own heroics, he was quick to praise his team. “This team is something special,” he said. “The vibe and environment we’ve created here are amazing. It’s a real pleasure to lead such a talented group of boys.”
In the other finals, DHS triumphed over Westville in the u15 contest with a convincing 25-run victory, while Westville claimed the u14 title with a solid 36-run win over Kearsney College. The u16 final between Westville and Northwood School will be played on Friday.
SCORES
1st XI
Durban High School 101/10 (Ismaeel Omar 36, Lazlo Jooste 26, Seth Simpson 5/11, Dayalan Boyce 4/25)
Westville Boys’ High 102/3 (Seth Simpson 50*, Taine Havermann 1/15). Westville Boys’ High won by seven wickets.
u15
Durban High School 125/4 (Jeremiah Joseph 67, Yunus Limalia 2/24); Westville Boys’ High 100/5 (K. McDowell 25, Kian Govindsamy 2/16). Durban High School won by 25 runs.
u14
Westville Boys’ High 122/5 (Cameron Rudolph 43*, M. Shea 28, Ryan Staats 1/19); Kearsney College 86/6 (L. Crandon 28, Luyanda Nzuza 1/4). Westville Boys’ High won by 36 runs.
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