House win at Hilton
The banks of Gilfillan were packed – albeit by a small crowd by Hilton/ Michaelhouse derby day standards – with spectators eager to witness the spectacle of what was touted to be one of the more closely contested recent clashes between the two schools.
Open age group rugby teams at Michaelhouse have enjoyed a positive 2015, losing just two matches this year. The Second through to Seventh XVs enjoyed a memorable derby day, winning all the fixtures on the programme, setting the scene for the 193rd first XV match between the two schools.
Michaelhouse controlled the tempo of much of the first half and were able to move the Hilton defence from side to side and in doing so, created three try scoring opportunities. Tries were scored by Liam Furniss joining the line from fullback, Ryan Anderson at inside centre and by right wing Mikael Maingard who beat the defence with great footwork and speed. Two of these tries were converted by flyhalf Bader Pretorius.
The visitors, buoyed by a strong unbeaten run leading up to the match and early dominance on the day, were under no illusions that a resurgent Hilton College team would not be extremely competitive, and the home team dug deep towards the latter part of the first half. Discipline, crisp passing and direct running were rewarded with a penalty and a try, taking the teams into the break with the visitors leading 19-8.
Hilton picked up where they left off, applying relentless pressure in the early exchanges of the second half and were rewarded with a number of penalties, although only one was capitalised bringing the home team into contention at 11-19.
An arm wrestle for dominance ensued with much of the second half ebbing and flowing between the two 22m lines, during which time neither team was able to score any points.
Michaelhouse then found some rhythm and were rewarded with a well-worked try when substitute left wing David Karam dived over the line in the corner to score a memorable try. A hallmark of the school’s rugby in 2015 has been the number of tries scored out wide.
Hilton then managed to reassert the pressure which they had been building and forced Michaelhouse into defensive ill-discipline which resulted in a yellow card and a converted penalty try just minutes before the final whistle.
Final score: Michaelhouse 24 Hilton 18.
From Murray Witherspoon
