Hilton prepares to host Michaelhouse in their final game of the season on Saturday 28 June 2014. This is traditionally the best attended KZN inter-schools match of the rugby season.
My feeling is that Michaelhouse will coast to victory in this game but earlier this year I have been cautioned never to underestimate the underdog at this popular derby. This advice proved to be true when the schools met on the 03 May 2014. Hosts Michaelhouse were the dominant team but had to settle for a 20-13 victory as a result of a courageous defensive effort by Hilton. The more I think back on that game, the more praise I have for the character the Hilton players showed in containing House. On that day Hilton played with a nearly full strength team. Since then they have been hit by numerous injuries plus they don’t have the same kind of depth that Michaelhouse has. I think Hilton going to have to dig deep once more.
In the lead up to the match in May I also spoke about these mini streaks that each school has managed to get going in recent years. I’m quite sure House will grow this new run to 2-0 now after Saturday. What is really going to be interesting is the first game of 2015 on Gilfillan at Hilton. Everyone expects Hilton to have a reasonably strong team next year. Add home soil and they are definitely going to be a force to be reckoned against Michaelhouse. Not making as many waves yet is Michaelhouse 2015. However on paper Michaelhouse look as if they are going to put out very competitive team as well. A quick count using the fingers suggests six in the pack already have 1st XV experience as well as a four in the backline. If they click next year, they could be quite potent. So that first Hilton-Michaelhouse derby of 2015 is already a must-watch in my books.
Teams:
| HILTON | MICHAELHOUSE | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrew Peverelle | 1 | Gregory Jackson | |
| 2 | Bafana Motloi | 2 | Matt Wiseman | |
| 3 | Andrew Svenningsen | 3 | Siyanda Mazibuko | |
| 4 | Peter Frost | 4 | Gary Porter | |
| 5 | Jonno Smithers | 5 | Andrew Vogel | |
| 6 | Etienne Marx | 6 | Zander Prinsloo | |
| 7 | Brad Dickerson | 7 | Jack Walters | |
| 8 | Sebastien Desvaux de Marigny | 8 | Nicholas Egberink | |
| 9 | Peter Symons | 9 | Thomas Walker | |
| 10 | Kieren Hayne | 10 | Bader Pretorius | |
| 11 | Leo van Wymeersch | 11 | Jason Schwegmann | |
| 12 | Nick Beal | 12 | Brandon Tattam | |
| 13 | Murray van Tonder | 13 | Michael Tatham | |
| 14 | Terry Matsa | 14 | Liam Furniss | |
| 15 | Thomas Webber | 15 | Victor Foster |
Anyway something else that’s come up of late is trying to find a place amongst the recent Michaelhouse success stories for this 2014 1st XV. Michaelhouse had very good teams in 2007, 2008 and 2012. This year’s team might not have received the same number of Craven Week caps as those three team but there has been something special about the way they’ve bonded to make a formidable team and achieved a great deal in the process.
I didn’t want to steal any thunder here. I asked our blogger Meadows for assistance with the 2007 and 2008 Michaelhouse teams who were outstanding. Here is what he had to add:
“ I’ve often been asked which IMO was the better side and I find it impossible to separate them – the 2008 side was probably more balanced with a bigger pack especially the tight 5 with two 120kg looseheads and Louis Albertse the CW tighthead in the front row with 2m Cameron Lindsay at lock. The 2007 team had a smallish mobile pack but they destroyed teams with scraps of possession. In the same vein as Reef Nakin in 2008 and against the backdrop of discussions about players like Tedder and Bader Pretorius, it is easy to forget how good the Cronje twins were as schoolboys. Both, along with Murray de Bruyn, played 1st XV in 2005 while still u16. Ross was the outstanding 9 at CW in 2007 but only made the SA schools B side behind Rudi Paige (the roles were reversed in 2009 at the u20 JWC in Japan). Guy Cronje captained the ’07 CW side and they continued their form into the u19 CC in 2008 when they, and Mark Richards, were key members of the Sharks winning u19 side. The both played senior rugby for the Sharks while u20. The 2007 back 3 of Lambie, Richards and Combrinck were the best I’ve seen as a schoolboy combo. Perhaps a key feature of the way that they played, aside from pace, was how versatile they all were. Here are the positions that they played at 1st XV level; R & G Cronje (9,10,12), M de Bruyn (10,12,13,14,15), X van Rooyen (9,12,13,14), R Combrinck (10,11,13,14,15), Mark Richards (9, 14,15) and Pat Lambie (10,12,15)”.
Back to me. I was very impressed by Neymar’s footballing skills during Brazil’s FIFA World Cup match against Cameroon the other day. His level of creativity reminded me of Josh Moon, the no.8 from the 2012 team. Moon who recently debuted for the SA Sevens team was an x-factor school rugby player and one of six from MHS to make Craven Week that year. Another well remembered and praised player was the school’s captain Justin Moberly who was all about heart and outstanding leader. He led KZN Schools team to a famous huge victory against the Free State at Craven Week that year. The other KZN players were the gifted ballplayer and distributer Robbie Anderson at flyhalf, linebreaking centre Michael Mvelase, the pacy Gr. 11 finisher on the wing Bruce Arnott and the loosie turned hooker Stephan Hartmann. In truth it wasn’t just about the stars. The team was good because they had willing contributors in all positions who had amazing spirit and played with precision, strength and flair. Not surprisingly the team claimed the prize for being the best 1st XV in KZN in 2012.
Personally I think that just being considered for mention along with these the 2007, 2008 and 2012 teams is reward enough for the class of 2014.
Here are the results achieved starting with the two most important one to every Michaelhouse player:
| OPPOSITION | 2014 | 2012 | 2008 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic season | ||||
| Hilton (H) | 20-13 | 12-11 | 31-16 | 40-0 |
| Hilton (A) | – | 22-26 | 21-18 | 44-17 |
| DHS | DNP | 24-14 | 16-7 | 44-21 |
| George Campbell | DNP | DNP | 68-0 | 46-3 |
| Glenwood | 14-17 | 13-14 | 24-24 | DNP |
| Kearsney | 45-7 | 21-20 | 58-37 | 20-10 |
| Northwood | 27-11 | 44-0 | 74-0 | DNP |
| Maritzburg College | 24-25 | 23-20 | 36-16 | 14-25 |
| St Charles | 50-10 | 34-9 | 22-3 | 55-7 |
| St Charles (2nd game) | 29-17 | – | – | – |
| St Johns | 52-10 | 36-10 | 41-16 | 53-29 |
| Westville | 34-32 | 24-22 | 26-8 | 19-5 |
| Voortrekker PMB W/E | ||||
| George Campbell | 46-3 | |||
| Voortrekker PMB | 29-7 | |||
| Overseas Tourists | ||||
| Wellington College | 24-21 | |||
| Grey & KES Festival | ||||
| Daniel Pienaar | 22-5 | |||
| Graeme | 10-12 | 25-6 | ||
| Grey High | 7-10 | 10-19 | 22-5 | |
| KES | 25-10 | |||
| Middelburg | 38 – 7 | |||
| Nico Malan | 28-22 | |||
| Queen’s | 18-3 | |||
| Rondebosch | 15-15 | |||
| St Andrew’s | 19-17 | |||
| ISRF | ||||
| St Stithians | 57-13 | |||
| St Davids | 62-26 | |||
| St Albans | 45-19 | |||
| Vryheid festival | ||||
| General Hertzog | 71-0 | |||
| Harmony | 30-12 | |||
| Sarel Cilliers | 31-3 |
A great day with a lot of good rugby played in a good spirit. The MHS 1st XV just to strong but hats off to the never say die attitude of the Hilton Boys. The U16 A result was heart breaking for Hilton. In an entertaining and competitive game they were leading by 7 points with 2 1/2 minutes to go and then let in 2 tries to lose.
@Pedantic: That U15A score illustrates just how ‘on the day’ a side can be. College famously lost to House a few weeks back, and beat Hilton narrowly a week or 2 before that.
@GreenBlooded: Thanks
12-39 Ft
12-34
Ht 24-0 house
MHS 24 – 0 Hilton almost half time
@GreenBlooded: thanks, keep the score rolling in!
After 15 mins House are 12-0 ahead
@GreenBlooded: Not all doom and gloom for HC
14A MHS 12 – 24 Hilton
15A MHS 7 – 52 Hilton
U16A 22-27 House
2nd 6-23 House
1st about to start. Craig Joubert in the house.
@ Buffel- flag flying not just yet. I was actually looking forward to sharing a cold Hansa around a warm fire. You can blame House for that.
All the best for CW. Make us all proud.
@star: I think you might need to take a white flag along. Good luck to both teams and let us hope the injuries are down to a minimum . IMHO- ‘House by 20.
@GreenBlooded: Hi, the 2nds start at 12:15 and the 1sts at 13:30.
@Redblack White: @Far Meadows: What time is kickoff? I might just take a drive up from the druggy….ehhhh….. leafy suburb of Kloof and have a gander as long as I can make it to see the test match in a pub somewhere. Actually, screw the test match – this will be far more entertaining……..
@Redblack White: The House team is almost at full strength from what I can gather, with Roberts away and Lee the no.15 injured.
I hope House can put up a good show and put at least 20 between the two sides. If they get it all right on the day it could be a rough day for Hilton as we experienced there last year!
Hopefully House by 30.
@meadows: I hear you and perhaps that might explain why House were a bit subdued 1st time round – you are only as good as your opponents allow you to be – having said that, I still fancy House to take this one by 20+ – but hey, I’m a neutral here and I can be bold about it without taking flak for days if i get it wrong. Good luck tomorrow to both teams, but for me – GO HOUSE!!!!
@star: it is cold and rainy in PMB at the moment, no doubt it will be chilly at Hilton tomorrow.
I think all booze is welcome!
@Far Meadows: Not mine I’m afraid
What is the weather forecast ? I wonder if I go in with my OBs whether I will be kicked out to touch
@meadows: I like your work !
To whet the appetite (from a MHS perspective of course
)
MHS v Hilton 2007 at MHS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhVC49X8k38
Hilton V MHS 2007 at Hilton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGHScr2_obU
MHS v Hilton 2008 at MHS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwt9dYZJNW0
A pity Blewett and Roberts are not playing. Blewett was in sublime form last weekend and Roberts brings an extra dimension to the attack of MHS. Anyway it should be an entertaining derby and a great day as usual.
Common the whites. It has been a long hard season but as the classics go ” it is not how you start but how you finish the race” that will carry you forward and create the impetus for next season. Win or lose, walk away from the field knowingly you left your all on it. Meadows has remarked that things do not always go to script. So toss the bloody thing in the bin and enjoy the day.
@meadows: Roberts going with the Craven Week team to Sasolburg for Bondedag as too the lock from MHS and Blewitt from Hilton. All players of influence . Just think that ‘House will be far too strong but with the history between the 2 , stranger things have happened.
@Redblack White: Objectively I agree with you BUT this derby is littered down the years with games not going to script. 2012 is a good example and hopefully from a MHS perspective that won’t happen. one of the reasons I preferred the ’08 example
@Beet. Interesting that you make mention of Josh Moon’s debut for the SA 7s side in that he teamed up with one of the stars of the ’07 side Mark Richards on the Italy trip.
The non selection of Richards and Ruan Combrinck for the Craven Week side that year was an absolute travesty. They both went to the Academy Week and Combrinck fortunately got his chance in ’08 by which time Richards was at the Sharks. Had they been selected MHS would have supplied 8 players to the CW side and the entire backline from 9-15.
@GreenBlooded: I’m not sure but I’ll try and find out. It will be a pity if he is.
@meadows: Is Roberts still injured?
Great derby, should be televised. Certainly has the best ‘spelling’ competition. I hope to see a few of these in the coming years. Let the battle for the Midlands begin.
@meadows: Too modest Sir – I think you will see a similar result to 2007. What I saw at Meadows first time round was a very reserved House team, but since then they have been outstanding – unlucky not to get the win over College and sublime at KC – a bit off the boil at St Chuckies but I reckon they will be on song come Saturday – my match of the weekend and worth the trip to Gilfilififlf … whatever
The match played at Hilton in ’08, to me, epitomises what this derby is about. far more so than the odd one sided game that we’ve seen last year at Hilton or either of the games in ’07. Reputations, rankings, number of Craven Week or SA players count for very little and invariably the underdog on paper takes the favoured side to the wire as happened here. This MHS side had 6 Craven Week players including a couple of SA reps, as well as a few Academy week selections and others who went on to play CW the following year to no provincial reps on the Hilton side. MHS were probably ranked 30 places above Hilton on any of the rankings in ’08 but just managed to prevail by 3pts, 21-18, against a gutsy and determined Hilton. The 2012 side similarly favoured lost the 2nd match at Hilton.
I expect more of the same this weekend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmSgBk_lK0k