The Hilton-Michaelhouse derby is one of the best attended in the country. Despite being a little out of the way, the match often attracts huge crowds with talk about 15000 and more spectators not unusual at all.
The head-to-head between the 2 private schools current stands at played 187, with Michaelhouse on 94 wins, Hilton on 83 and 10 draws since 1904.
Michaelhouse are having a terrific year and as a result of having won this season’s first leg 12-11 at home back in early May, the pressure is now really on Hilton to conjure up something special in order to end 2012 on a high note.
Much emphasis has been placed on the 6 players Michaelhouse have in the Craven Week team, yet Hilton has a very respectable team as well, it’s just that locally results particularly in the tight games haven’t gone their way during this extremely competitive KZN season. Apart from Cameron Wright, who will be travelling to Craven Week, Hilton have good rugby prospects in captain Chris de Beer, his vice Sebastian Negri and gr.11 loose-forward Nqobi Maseko are all of whom are part of the KZN Academy Week team. Calvin Smith, Tim Fainsinger and Greg Pappas are amongst the other useful players that are able step up and change the outcome of a game.
With House coming off a tough game against Kearsney and then having to commit players not nursing injuries to 2 testing practice sessions against u19 opponents from the Sharks as part of Craven Week preparations this week, the build-up has certainly favoured Hilton. Add to this that House, who’ll be travelling to Gilfillan, lost their only other big away game this KZN season and it becomes slightly easier to imagine Hilton winning this one.
However there’ll be no illussions amongst the Hilton players. Michaelhouse are well drilled outfit. They have a good balance within their set-up and in many respects their more traditional style of play turns the clock back to a time when forwards played as forwards and backs as backs: the hard graft gets done up front and the backs are afforded room to operate in. There is a good understanding about roles and responsibilities in this House team.
So expect a big one in front of a capacity crowd irrespective of how cold it is. The form, the recent record and the long-term history all point to a Michaelhouse victory but I’m going to back Hilton to play with passion and cause what will be viewed as a major upset by the public.
@ Greenwood: agree , the winner at College will result in Place Number 1
like i said , Hilton to win, Puts Glenwood back in 1 , haaa haaa
@Smeagol, firstly well done to Hilton against Michaelhouse! Let’s put the history into some perspective, Glenwood have played College 162 times since 1921. So the rivalry between College and Glenwood is up there. I would think College and DHS have played over 200 times in 100 years.
Glenwood vs Maritzburg College (since 1921)
Played: 162
Won: 38
Lost: 109
Drawn: 15
I wud have put my bucks on House – So now who is tops in Kzn ?
as a Glenwood supporter I would say that whoever wins at Goldstones next term gets the Kzn trophy – Glenwood & College 2 losses each in Kzn along with House – but Glenwood & College having played tougher games outside Kzn
may just sway College – Gwds way If there is a draw at Goldstones (stranger things have happened) then GWD gets the Cup for having “closer” losses to Local teams – as in Kearsney and Westville
Hilton win tight game 26 22. I don’t think Cameron missed a kick. Well done to the Whites. A good way to end off a season that had promised much.
CAN YOU BELIEVE, 187 GAMES BETWEEN THE TWO? SO MUCH HISTORY THERE. WHAT A PRIVALIGE FOR ANY BOY TO ATTEND ANY ONE OF THESE SCHOOLS. MHS SHOULD WIN. IT DEPENDS ON THEIR ATTITUDE ON THE DAY. HILTON MIGHT JUST SURPRISE THEM.
It will come down to who can convert when it matters and kicking will be decisive. With Mvelase not playing it will be Wright V Anderson. I am tipping and black and white cap towards Cameron.Maybe I am thinking with my heart too as he is also an ex Westville boy.