RUGBY
After having gone winless from 2016 to the second meeting with Hilton College of 2023, the Michaelhouse 1st XV now has won two on the trot against their rivals after a hard-fought but deserved 24-23 victory on Gilfillan Field on Saturday.
Last year, they won 18-15 on Hilton’s home ground after losing 17-20 on Meadows in the first derby showdown of the year.
The momentum in Saturday’s contest swung like a pendulum. Each score was met by a renewed assault from the team which had been scored upon, which was reflected in where the game was played on the field.
Having said that, Michaelhouse was excellently served by their flyhalf Luke Davidson, who used his educated boot well in the heat of the derby clash.
He enjoyed an outstanding all-round game, which included converting all three of ‘House’s tries, which was crucial when one considers the final result. He also calmly slotted a drop goal and set up Rourke O’Sullivan‘s opening try with a brilliant break and exceptional floated pass, which eliminated the last defender and put the outside centre in for five points.
On the Hilton side, look no further than their captain Hanu Pieterse for a standout performer. His energetic take-it-to-’em style caught the eye, and he also crossed for the home team’s first try after spotting an opportunity to pierce the Michaelhouse defence. Pieterse ran out at lock for Hilton in 2023, but he looks truly at home at 8th-man.
His opposite number, and Michaelhouse captain Carlyle Hawkins (featured image), had been injured in the lead-up to the game and missed the KZN High Schools Rugby Day. He wasn’t listed in the programme for the day but, as a leader does, he put his body on the line for his team, and he has now been a part of the successive victories the Balgowan boys have enjoyed at Hilton.
Scorers
Hilton College 23 (10) – Tries: Hanu Pieterse, Khazimla Makali. Conversions: Liyema Nela (2). Penalties: Liyema Nela (2). Drop goal: Xola Makongolo. Michaelhouse 24 (14) – Tries: Rourke O’Sullivan, Stefan Moolman, Aphiwe Shelembe. Conversions: Luke Davidson (3). Drop goal: Luke Davidson.
While the 1st XV scored a tight victory, the remainder of Michaelhouse’s open teams were convincing winners.
The Hilton u16A team scraped a narrow two-point win over ‘House, but the visitors outplayed Hilton in the remaining three u16 matches. The u15A match was tight, with the two-point win going Michaelhouse’s way. They also won the other three games in the age group.
Hilton’s u14A team were handsome winners, while the other three u14 clashes produced a win each and a draw.
Results
1st: Hilton College 23-24 Michaelhouse
2nd: Hilton College 11-31 Michaelhouse
3rd: Hilton College 13-26 Michaelhouse
4th: Hilton College 7-47 Michaelhouse
5th: Hilton College 7-31 Michaelhouse
6th: Hilton College 17-60 Michaelhouse
7th: Hilton College 7-40 Michaelhouse
8th: Hilton College 0-43 Michaelhouse
16A: Hilton College 29-27 Michaelhouse
16B: Hilton College 8-62 Michaelhouse
16C: Hilton College 17-33 Michaelhouse
16D: Hilton College 7-50 Michaelhouse
15A: Hilton College 19-21 Michaelhouse
15B: Hilton College 0-40 Michaelhouse
15C: Hilton College 7-22 Michaelhouse
15D: Hilton College 0-52 Michaelhouse
14A: Hilton College 55-10 Michaelhouse
14B: Hilton College 12-12 Michaelhouse
14C: Hilton College 21-12 Michaelhouse
14D: Hilton College 0-50 Michaelhouse
HOCKEY
Hilton’s excellence on the hockey field has continued in 2024, with the team having lost only once ahead of the derby on the Mansergh Astro on Saturday. At the end of it, however, they had two defeats to their name after Michaelhouse pulled off a shock 3-2 victory.
The visitors are still a work in progress. They had a difficult 2023 and started 2024, now under the guidance of Nick Bérichon, slowly. But they’ve been building up steam, and their grit was to the fore in their outing against Kearsney, which preceded the Hilton game.
Within the first 10 minutes of that game, they fell 0-3 behind Matt De Oliveira and company. It could have resulted in an embarrassing defeat. Instead, ‘House fought back and had Kearsney on the hop in the second half. They came close to snatching a draw, but ultimately lost 2-3. Still, they took a lot out of the game, especially the knowledge that they could compete and dominate, no matter the score in the contest.
West Mitchell-Innes stole the plaudits with a double for Michaelhouse on Saturday, but it took a team and all of its supporters to secure the win. The exuberant scenes of celebration afterwards reflected the joy and relief the visitors felt after playing second fiddle to Hilton for a good number of seasons.
Throughout the fixture list, it was a good day for Michaelhouse, who also won the u16A and u14A matches. Their hockey is, most definitely, on the up once again.
Results
1st: Hilton College 2-3 Michaelhouse
2nd: Hilton College 2-2 Michaelhouse
3rd: Hilton College 0-1 Michaelhouse
4th: Hilton College 0-2 Michaelhouse
16A: Hilton College 0-3 Michaelhouse
16B: Hilton College 1-1 Michaelhouse
16C: Hilton College 0-4 Michaelhouse
16D: Hilton College 3-6 Michaelhouse
16E: Hilton College 1-0 Michaelhouse
14A: Hilton College 1-2 Michaelhouse
14B: Hilton College 0-1 Michaelhouse
14C: Hilton College 7-1 Michaelhouse
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