20 January 2026
Michaelhouse defused Durban High School‘s challenge on the Roy Gathorne Oval on Saturday, producing a disciplined all-round performance to secure a six-wicket victory in a low-scoring limited overs contest.
Winning the toss, ‘House captain Graydon Leslie had no hesitation in bowling first, and while it proved to be a long grind rather than an early dismantling, the decision was fully vindicated by his side’s control in the field.
DHS found runs hard to come by against a probing Michaelhouse attack. Ismaeel Omar and Josh van Biljon showed admirable resolve in a second wicket stand that lasted 18.1 overs, absorbing pressure and inching the scoreboard forward. Their partnership yielded 57 runs from 110 balls, but it never threatened to break the shackles.
When Van Biljon was caught by Leslie off Preston Greene for 25, the visitors’ innings unravelled quickly. From a relatively stable 75/1, School slumped to 89/6 in the space of just under eight overs as Michaelhouse tightened the screws.
With more than 22 overs still available at the fall of the second wicket, DHS was unable to shift gears and lift the scoring rate.
Omar followed shortly after Van Biljon exited for the innings’ top score of 35, which came from 74 deliveries, while Aktar Bashar added some late resistance from number eight with an unbeaten 27. Even so, DHS limped to 133/7, scoring at just 2.7 runs per over.
Liam O’Dwyer was outstanding with the ball, returning exceptional figures of 4/18 from his 10 overs, while every Michaelhouse bowler contributed to the pressure. Rex Wardlaw, with 1/20 from eight overs, and Greene, with 1/24 from 10 were also effective.
In reply, Michaelhouse batted with far greater intent, reaching the target at close to five runs per over. Cody Sander anchored the chase with a composed 36 not out from 74 balls, setting a solid platform.
The innings gathered momentum through Ben Heuer, whose attacking unbeaten 50 from just 34 balls decisively tilted the contest. He struck two sixes and five fours in an unbroken 72-run partnership with Sander to carry Michaelhouse to 136/4 inside 29 overs.
Josh Morley was the pick of the DHS bowlers with 2/23, but the day belonged firmly to Michaelhouse.
1st XI
Durban High School 133/7 (Ismaeel Omar 35, Aktar Bashar 27*, Josh van Biljon 25; Liam O’Dwyer 4/18); Michaelhouse 136/4 (Ben Heuer 50*, Cody Sander 36*, Rex Wardlaw 20; Josh Morley 2/23). Michaelhouse won by six wickets.
2nd XI
DHS 213/8; Michaelhouse 214/4
Michaelhouse won by six wickets
3rd XI
DHS 63/10; Michaelhouse 65/6
Michaelhouse won by four wickets
4th XI
DHS 59/5; Michaelhouse 63/1
Michaelhouse won by nine wickets
u16A
Michaelhouse 118/10; DHS 119/4
DHS won by six wickets
u15A
Michaelhouse 156/8; DHS 139/10
Michaelhouse won by 17 runs
u15B
Michaelhouse 156/7; DHS 62/10
Michaelhouse won by 94 runs
u14A
Michaelhouse 35/6 dec; DHS 68/4 dec
Michaelhouse 79/4 dec; DHS 49/1
DHS won by nine wickets
u14B
Michaelhouse 146/6; DHS 57/10
Michaelhouse won by 89 runs
u14C
Michaelhouse won by seven runs
u14D
Michaelhouse 85/9; DHS 86/8
DHS won by two wickets
BASKETBALL
In a cracking 1st team clash, Michaelhouse held off DHS for a nail-biting two-point win. ‘House enjoyed the better of the open age group games, and also claimed the u16A win, but there was little to separate the schools in that age group.
While Michaelhouse won the u15A game, victories in the age group were evenly split at two-two. DHS won a tight u14A match and took three wins to one at that age level.
Interestingly, about a decade ago, DHS was the standard-setter in South African schools’ basketball. They’ve gone through leaner times since, but they appear to be on the up once more. Michaelhouse, for one glorious season, filled that space as South Africa’s best in 2020. Are they, too, ramping up for another assault at number one?
Northwood, now, holds that spot, but basketball competition in KZN is keen and change is constant.
Results
1st: Michaelhouse 65-63 DHS
2nd: Michaelhouse 29-18 DHS
3rd: Michaelhouse 31-19 DHS
4th: Michaelhouse 12-16 DHS
16A: Michaelhouse 26-23 DHS
16B: Michaelhouse 20-10 DHS
16C: Michaelhouse 11-22 DHS
16D: Michaelhouse 13-12 DHS
15A: Michaelhouse 27-13 DHS
15B: Michaelhouse 21-9 DHS
15C: Michaelhouse 6-18 DHS
15D: Michaelhouse 7-14 DHS
14A: Michaelhouse 18-21 DHS
14B: Michaelhouse 7-9 DHS
14C: Michaelhouse 13-11 DHS
14D: Michaelhouse 5-16 DHS
WATER POLO
It was a very busy day in the pool for Michaelhouse especially, with many teams playing multiple games in preparation for further traditional fixtures and tournaments.
‘House held a loaded Kearsney team to a draw in a meeting of the 1st teams and comfortably dealt with DHS.
Their strength in depth was evident, too. Something good is brewing in the KZN Midlands.
Results
1st: Michaelhouse 13-4 DHS
1st: Michaelhouse 9-9 Kearsney
2nd: Michaelhouse 6-3 Curro Hillcrest 1st
2nd: Michaelhouse 12-2 DHS
2nd: Michaelhouse 13-6 St Charles 1st
2nd: Michaelhouse 6-5 Thomas More 1st
2nd: Michaelhouse 5-5 Kearsney
3rd: Michaelhouse 9-2 Thomas More 2nd
3rd: Michaelhouse 8-5 Kearsney
3rd: Michaelhouse 9-3 St Charles 2nd
4th: Michaelhouse 11-4 Kearsney
5th: Michaelhouse 3-4 Kearsney
6th: Michaelhouse 7-5 Kearsney
15A: Michaelhouse 11-3 DHS
15B: Michaelhouse 12-2 St Charles u15A
15B: Michaelhouse 8-6 Kearsney
15C: Michaelhouse 2-8 St Charles u15A
15C: Michaelhouse 0-15 Kearsney u15B
14A: Michaelhouse 8-6 Kearsney
14A: Michaelhouse 11-0 DHS
14B: Michaelhouse 5-5 Highbury u13A
14B: Michaelhouse 4-7 Kearsney
14B: Michaelhouse 8-4 St Charles u14A
14C: Michaelhouse 10-4 Kearsney
14C: Michaelhouse 5-3 St Charles u14A
14C: Michaelhouse 2-4 Highbury u13A
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