Midlands Derby, Part Two
On Saturday the gentlemen of Michaelhouse go smoothly down from their height to play the men of Hilton at their most beautiful school.
It is possibly the poshest rugby occasion in South Africa.
It is a fixture dating back to 1904. The match was played at and won by Hilton. To get there from Balgowan Michaelhouse travelled partly by train and partly by oxwagon. Travel will be different on Saturday.
If you wanted to build an Nkandla of your own, you need just sell the cars that will glide into Hilton on Saturday!
There will be a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere at the ground as parents and sons picnic but don't be fooled, for the rugby will be intense, the result of the 1st XV match important.
This is the last of their season's fixtures for Hilton while Michaelhouse have three more matches in the Independent Schools Rugby Festival which they are hosting this year.
This is the second time the two schools have met this year. The first time was up at Balgowan when Michaelhouse won the 1st XV match 20-13.
The Season
Michaelhouse have had a much better season. They have played 11 matches, winning eight and losing three.
Hilton played 12 matches, winning five and losing seven.
Michaelhouse are ranked 19th on the FNB Top 20; Hilton are not ranked.
Results against Common Opponents
Westville: Hilton lost 58-14; Michaelhouse won 34-32
Glenwood: Hilton lost 67-7; Michaelhouse lost 17-14
Maritzburg College: Hilton lost 37-5; Michaelhouse lost 25-24
Northwood: Hilton lost 32-14; Michaelhouse won 27-11
Kearsney: Hilton lost 31-17; Michaelhouse won 45-7
St Charles: Hilton won 22-21; Michaelhouse won 50-10 & 29-17
Representative Players
Craven Week
Michaelhouse: Bradley Roberts
Hilton: Tristan Blewett
Neither Craven Week player will be playing on Saturday.
Academy Week
Michaelhouse: Bader Pretorius, Thomas Walker, Greg Jackson, Brandon Tattam
Hilton: Jayson Gouws
Teams
Hilton. 15 Thomas Webber, 14 Terry Matsa, 13 Darren McGhee, 12 Murray van Tonder, 11 Leo Van Wymeersch, 10 Kieran Hayne, 9 Peter Symons, 8 Sebastian Desvaux de Marigny, 7 Brad Dickerson (captain), 6 Etienne Marx, 5 Jono Smithers/Jayson Gouws, 4 Peter Frost, 3 Andrew Svenningsen, 2 Bafana Motloi, 1 Andrew Peverelle
Michaelhouse. 15 Victor Foster, 14 Liam Furniss, 13 Michael Tatham, 12 Brandon Tattam, 11 Jason Schwegmann, 10 Bader Pretorius, 9 Thomas Walker (captain), 8 Nick Egberink, 7 Jack Walters, 6 Zander Prinsloo, 5 Gary Porter, 4 Andy Vogel, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Matthew Wiseman, 1 Greg Jackson
Date: 28 June 2014
1st XV kick-off: 13.30
Venue: Gilfillan Field, Hilton
Expected weather conditions: Partly cloudy with a high of 14°C, dropping to 8°C
Rugby Programme
Gilfillan Field
08.00: 4th XV
09.05: 3rd XV
10.10: Under-16 A
12.15: 2nd XV
13.30: 1st XV
Weightman-Smith Field
09.00: 5th XV
10.00: 6th XV
Number 2 Field
09.00: Under-16 B
10.00: Under-16 C
12.00: Under-15 C
Etheridge Field
09.00: Under-15 A
10.00: Under-15 B
Lombard Field
08.00: Under-14 B
09.00: Under-14 C
10.00: Under-14 A
