11 February 2024
WATER POLO
The most exciting rivalry in KZN schools’ water polo, currently, is that between Clifton College and Hilton College and the latest edition of that rivalry delivered an epic contest in which the margin between victory and defeat was paper-thin.
In front of a packed and enthusiastic crowd at the Clifton Aquatic Centre, the home team scraped a narrow 7-6 victory, thanks to some penalty-saving heroics from their goalkeeper, Ross Strauss, and a dramatic ending to the game.
With the game into its dying seconds, Hilton managed one final shot, which beat Strauss, but it didn’t quite beat the final whistle. Between the time the ball left the hands and when it crossed the line, the whistle went and, thankfully, both umpires immediately signalled no goal, thus quickly defusing any potential controversy.
Hilton, playing without their captain, Meyer Malherbe, who is carrying a shoulder injury, put up an immense fight. They trailed throughout the clash, but they wouldn’t go away, displaying admirable spirit which came oh so close to them levelling the scores at the end.
Overall, the visitors did well, winning the other four open age group matches, all of which were hard-fought. Hilton also won both u15 games, but Clifton took the u14 wins. The biggest margins of victory across the nine matches was only four goals, achieved by Hilton’s 2nd team and Clifton’s u14A side.
Results
1st: Clifton 7-6 Hilton
2nd: Clifton 3-7 Hilton
3rd: Clifton 4-6 Hilton
4th: Clifton 4-8 Hilton
5th: Clifton 3-4 Hilton
15A: Clifton 5-7 Hilton
15B: Clifton 2-5 Hilton
14A: Clifton 10-6 Hilton
14B: Clifton 6-4 Hilton
BASKETBALL
It was Hilton’s day on the basketball court, except in one match, and it was a big one. Clifton’s 1st team followed up on their victory over Glenwood last weekend with an impressive 11-point win over Hilton at the Riverside Sports Club on Saturday.
Clifton has impressed this season with a never-say-die fire that has helped them hang with some of the province’s and South Africa’s top teams. Now, with a number of victories under their belt, that boost of confidence will make them a potential banana skin for future opponents.
An interesting rematch awaits when they take on Michaelhouse in one of their pool games at the forthcoming St John’s Basketball Tournament.
Results
1st: Clifton 49-38 Hilton
2nd: Clifton 23-27 Hilton
3rd: Clifton 14-26 Hilton
4th: Clifton 11-40 Hilton
16A: Clifton 24-46 Hilton
16B: Clifton 10-48 Hilton
16C: Clifton 4-56 Hilton
15A: Clifton 11-40 Hilton
15B: Clifton 9-28 Hilton
15C: Clifton 9-50 Hilton
15D: Clifton 7-37 Hilton
14A: Clifton 16-30 Hilton
14B: Clifton 4-28 Hilton
14C: Clifton 0-93 Hilton
14D: Clifton 4-30 Hilton
CRICKET
At the Riverside Sports Club, Hilton College romped to a nine-wicket win over Clifton after a strong performance in the field, which was, ironically, led by Jayden Roux, who just last year was turning out for the Clifton 1st XI.
He shone with the ball, capturing 4/5 in 5.2 overs to put the skids under the home team. Opening bowler, Kyle Christie, also enjoyed great success, with his 10 overs producing a return of 4/17, while leg-spinner David Hill claimed the other two wickets at a cost of 17 runs from his seven overs.
After 34.2 overs, Clifton had been dismissed for just 70.
Chasing a small target for victory, opening batsman Ben Hockly went after the Clifton bowlers, contributing all but 14 of Hilton’s runs as they surged to 71/1 after 14 overs to take the win. He finished on 57 not out from only 49 balls, three of which he launched over the ropes and seven of which he sent for four.
Scores
Clifton College 70/10 (Jayden Roux 4/5, Kyle Christie 4/17, David Hill 2/17); Hilton College 71/1 (Ben Hockly 57*) Hilton College won by 9 wickets.
Up and down the cricket fixtures, it was a good day for Hilton, who recorded a clean sweep, as they made better use of the overcast conditions than Clifton did.
Results
2nd XI
Clifton College 129/0
Hilton College 132/0
Hilton College won by 10 wickets
3rd XI
Clifton College 23/10
Hilton College 24/1
Hilton College won by 9 wickets
u15A
Hilton College won by 59 runs
u15B
Clifton College 46/10
Hilton College 47/1
Hilton College won by 9 wickets
u14A
Hilton College won by 56 runs
u14B
Hilton College won by 7 wickets
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