17 February 2024
(Article by Marlowe Bloem)
Like many season openers, the Hilton College vs Northwood School clash was a low scoring affair. Low scoring it might have been, but it was exciting.
There seemed to be some nervousness in the ranks of the sides during the first 10 minutes of the game, with both committing unforced errors. Hilton was, however, the first to be afforded an opportunity to score, with flyhalf Liyema Nela having a kick at goal. However, the grade 11 pupil dragged his effort to the right.
For a while, Northwood were unable to escape their own half, due to unforced errors and Hilton forcing turnovers at the breakdown. The home side was, however, unable to turn that pressure into points.
Then, in the 12th minute, deep inside their half, Northwood opted to run the ball from a lineout. The Knights’ outside centre Ramatuku Sikhakhane made a line break, cutting out to the right of his opposite number. Then, he offloaded to flyhalf Siyanda Nkosi on his inside, who went over for a brillaint try and the first points of the game.
The conversion attempt was missed. Goal-kicking was not easy in the strong winds, but those winds did favour the tactical kicking of the left-footed Hilton number 10, Liyema Nela, who kick far and high throughout the contest.
Just before half-time, Northwood threatened to get themselves on the board again, but Hilton turned over possession and launched a clearance kick down the field, with Knights’ fullback Aphiwe Buthelezi fielding the kick on halfway.
He was tackled but managed to get the ball away to his left, resulting in Northwood outflanking the home side and going over for a second five-pointer. The conversion attempt was off target, but the Durban school led 10-0 at the break.
In the second half, Hilton finally got themselves onto the scoreboard. An attempted skip pass was picked off by Khazimla Makali. Pinning back his ears, he covered about 50 metres before being brought down. However, he found Rukudzo Madinga to his outside and the winger went over for a Hilton try in the corner. Nela knocked over the challenging conversion and Hilton were back in the game early in the second stanza.
Northwood had enjoyed success moving the ball down their backline in the first half, but Hilton appeared to have figured out a defence for Northwood’s ferocious backline flair. Players attempting to make a break often found themselves isolated, which allowed Hilton’s loose forwards to snatch turnovers, with captain and 8th-man Hanu Pieterse putting in a valiant shift.
Towards the end of the game, both sides forced themselves into the opposition’s 22, but unforced errors and unnecessary infringements at the breakdown undermined their offensive efforts.
Both Hilton and Northwood were seeking their offensive rhythm, but their challenges with that aspect of the game also had a lot to do with how well coached they were defensively.
Northwood’s rugged defence stood out. Other than the intercept try, they enjoyed success in turning over possession and dealt well with Hilton’s aerial assault.
It ended 10-7 in the Knights’ favour – an exciting and encouraging start to the season for coach Jeremy McLaren and his charges.
Other matches
Competition in the open age group was very healthy, with Northwood enjoying the edge. Hilton romped to victory in the u16A clash, but the visitors won the other three games in the age group.
Northwood was dominant at u15 level, while there were two wins apiece in the u14 games, with Hilton claiming the A side honours, and the D teams sharing a 72-point thriller, which Northwood won by just four points.
RESULTS
1st: Hilton 7-10 Northwood
2nd: Hilton 14-14 Northwood
3rd: Hilton 12-14 Northwood
4th: Hilton 40-24 Northwood
5th: Hilton 5-24 Northwood
6th: Hilton 10-21 Northwood
7th: Hilton 14-22 Northwood
16A: Hilton 36-3 Northwood
16B: Hilton 0-49 Northwood
16C: Hilton 7-29 Northwood
16D: Hilton 17-31 Northwood
15A: Hilton 12-37 Northwood
15B: Hilton 0-38 Northwood
15C: Hilton 0-65 Northwood
15D: Hilton 10-31 Northwood
14A: Hilton 19-0 Northwood
14B: Hilton 17-14 Northwood
14C: Hilton 0-42 Northwood
14D: Hilton 34-38 Northwood
HOCKEY
With the Knights on tour in Argentina, there was no 1st team hockey match on Saturday in Hilton.
Competition in the six open matches was as tight as could be. The highest scoring game, between the 3rd XIs, produced only three goals, with Hilton edging out Northwood 2-1. There was one draw, between the 2nd sides, and the other three matches were decided by a single goal, all 1-0 in Northwood’s favour.
Hilton claimed the u16A honours, winning 3-1, but the results in the age group were just three wins to two in their favour.
Northwood won three and drew one of the u14 games, which included a convincing 4-1 win for their A team.
RESULTS
2nd: Hilton 1-1 Northwood
3rd: Hilton 2-1 Northwood
4th: Hilton 0-1 Northwood
5th: Hilton 0-1 Northwood
6th: Hilton 0-1 Northwood
16C: Hilton 0-2 Northwood
16D: Hilton 2-7 Northwood
16E: Hilton 2-0 Northwood
14A: Hilton 1-4 Northwood
14B: Hilton 1-1 Northwood
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