Hilton's Home Win in Classic Clash

Hilton College played host to Pretoria Boys’ High on their magnificent estate in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands, the 1st XV match a Classic clash. The home side were in fine form and won 42-27.

It was a warm and pleasant afternoon on Gilfillan Field, and both teams were happy to run with the ball in a match played in an excellent spirit.

Hilton attacked first and scored first when flyhalf Ruan Wilmans kicked a penalty goal for a tackle infringement. But soon afterwards, Pretoria Boys High, handling well, going wide left and then wide right, put Hope Mashabane in for the first of his tries. Pretoria Boys High’s head boy, Justin Cross, converted and the visitors led 7-3 after 7 minutes.

Five minutes later, it was the turn of Hilton’s outside centre, Latica Nela to round off a tapped penalty near the Pretoria line with a try, Wilmans converting, and Hilton led 10-7.

The score became 10-all three minutes later when Cross goaled a penalty.

Back came Hilton, bashing at Pretoria Boys High’s defences from a five-metre scrum till hooker Brendan Beukes scored.

That made the score 15-10 to Hilton at half-time.

The second half was barely live when right wing Tanaka Matsa had a strong run. Hilton went left and centre Michael Booth scored. Wilmans converted and then kicked two penalty goals, and Hilton led 28-10. A big victory was on the cards. But two penalties set Pretoria Boys High bashing at the Hilton defences till eighthman Tom Calenborne forced his way over for a try. 28-15, 13 minutes into the half.

The next score was exciting. Hilton were in their own 22 and kicked a long way downfield. The ball bounced on the hard field and played some nasty tricks, presenting itself generously to Matsa who scored. 35-15 after 42 minutes.

Hilton put the ball into a scrum well inside Pretoria Boys High’s territory and near the touchline on Hilton’s left. Hilton won the ball and went right. Left wing Josh Cox took a short pass from flyhalf Wilmans and cut clean through for a try near the posts. 42-15 with 14 minutes to play.

That was Hilton’s last score but the Pretorians scored two more.

Two penalties gave Pretoria Boys High a five-metre lineout. Hilton were penalised again, Pretoria Boys High tapped and flyhalf Cross cut straight through for a try. 42-20. with 10 minutes to play.

Pretoria Boys High were near their own 22 when they won a scrum on their right and went left. An overlap set substitute back Tom Glatthaar speeding downfield. He gave to Mashabane who scored his second try – an exciting affair. Cross’s conversion ended the scoring at 42-27.

Scorers

For Hilton:
Tries: Latica Nela, Brendan Beukes, Michael Booth, Tanaka Matsa, Josh Cox
Cons: Ruan Wilmans 4
Pens: Ruan Wilmans 3

For Pretoria Boys High:
Tries: Hope Mashabane 2, Tom Calenborne, Justin Cross
Cons: Justin Cross 2
Pen: Justin Cross

Teams

Hilton: 15 Thabiso Dhlamini, 14 Tanaka Matsa, 13 Latica Nela, 12 Michael Booth, 11 Josh Cox, 10 Ruan Wilmans, 9 Mike Teichmann, 8 Mark Armstrong (captain), 7 Thomas Hamlin, 6 James Harvey, 5 Luke van Ryzwyk, 4 Murray Schnell, 3 Christopher d’Oliviera, 2 Brendan Beukes, 1 Leftheri Zigiriadis

Pretoria Boys High: 15 Phoenix Twale, 14 Hope Mashabane, 13 Bradley Mayeseko, 12 Mathew Neser, 11 Jamie Nortje, 10 Justin Cross, 9 Jaden Collard, 8 Tom Calenborne, 7 Bruce Anderson, 6 Jandre Minny, 5 Stephan KJrugel, 4 Aidan Bristow (captain), 3 Reinhardt Nel, 2 Matthew Cal;dwell, 1 Omphile Makhafola

Referee: Kelsey Symons (Durban Referees Sub-Society)
Assistant referees: Glen Botha, Eugene Oosterhuizen