Hilton kicks-off ISRF with convincing victory over St Stithians
Hilton College showed just how much depth they have on the first day of the Independent Schools Rugby Festival at St Andrew’s in Bloemfontein when they comfortably beat St. Stithians College by 43-5 with a team consisting only of players who will still be eligible to play first-team for them next season.
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In the absence of some of their star players, like flyhalf and captain, Chris Horak, who was in action for the Sharks Craven Week team against the Bulls at the Noordvaal Bondedag, some of their stayers stepped up and showed that the future is looking bright for Hilton College rugby.
In particular, Horak’s replacement at flyhalf, Xola Makongolo and Hilton College’s 16-year-old eighth man, Emmanuel Dankwah, put on a dominant display for the team from KZN.
Hilton controlled the game from the start and showcased some exciting running rugby to set the mood for the Curry Cup final taking place at the Free State Stadium just up the road.
All the players had the opportunity to go watch the Cheetahs take on the Pumas for the title after the first day’s action.
In the penultimate matchup of day one, the hosts, St Andrew’s, showed their intent but ultimately came up just short against St David’s Marist.
In what was a thriller of a match, the hosts may feel that they left a couple of points on the field, deciding not to attempt to convert kickable penalties on two occasions.
The visitors from Johannesburg took their chances, and their lively scrumhalf, Diego Ferreira‘s penalty conversion was enough to secure the 24-21 win for St David’s Marist.
Kearsney are looking like the team to beat at the festival this year. They played against an invitational team from St Albans, also consisting of stayers.
They were ruthless in the first half and their big loose forward, Simanye Mlakalaka, looked unstoppable, scoring two tries for his team.
The boys from Pretoria did extremely well to regroup at half time though, and despite being down 40-5 at the break, they matched their opponents in the second half.
The second day of the festival takes place on Monday, when St Andrew’s faces CBC Boksburg in what promises to be an exciting matchup, and Kearsney take on Cornwall Hill in the final match of the day.
St Andrew’s will look to find the inspiration they need to live up to the promise shown on the first day, and Cornwall Hill have a big challenge waiting for them when they face Kearsney.
The scorers:
Hilton College 43 (17) – Tries: Emmanuel Dankwah (2), Michael Capes, Rowan Cox, Xola Makongolo, Luke Warren, Ollie Proudfoot. Conversions: Capes (3), Tristan Uys. St Stithians College 5 (5) – Try: Ryan Zvinavashe.
St David’s Marist 24 (17) – Tries: William Alleman, Jack Brady, Elliot Skei. Conversions: Diego Ferreira (3). Penalty Ferreira. St Andrews 21 (14) – Tries: Koena Ntsamai, Matthew Simon, Marco de Sousa. Conversions: Connor Nel (3).
CBC Boksburg 38 (12) – Tries: Chad Tullet (2), Jacques Lewis, Kyle Galliot, Mcebisi Ndimande. Conversions: Cayden Milne (4). Free State Development XV 5 (5).
Kearsney College 47 (40) – Tries: Simanye Mlakalaka (2), Seth Brown, Jarred van Staaden, Buko Hkwatika, Lindo Mpungose, Callum Steer. Conversions: Daniel Eagar (6). St Alban’s College XV 12 (5) – TBC
St Charles College 21 (14) – Tries: Marlon Mbewe, Lazola Makuala, Raphael Abijade. Conversions: Ukhanyo Ntsangani (2), Okhule Peti. Cornwall Hill College 5 (0) – Try: CJ Kapilikisha.
Clifton 29 (12) – Tries: Nathan Shotland (2), Simphiwe Ngcobo, Bryce Beeslaar, Joshau Kennedy. Conversions: Kennedy (4) Union 8 (8) – Try: Jayden Odendaal. Penalty: Hlaki Skepe.
The rest of the fixtures:
Monday:
Hickling A: 08:00 – Hilton vs St Alban’s College XV; 09:10 – St Andrews vs CBC Boksburg; 10:20 – St Charles vs Union High; 13:30 – FS Development XV vs St David’s Marist; 14:40 – Clifton vs St Stithians; 15:50 – Cornwall Hill vs Kearsney.
Wednesday:
Hickling A: 08:00 – St Charles vs St Stithians; 09:10 – St Andrews vs Kearsney.
Hickling B: 08:00 – Hilton vs St David’s Marist; 09:10 – Union High vs Free State Development XV.
Victoria Park: 08:00 – Clifton vs CBC Boksburg; 09:10 – St Alban’s College XV vs Cornwall Hill.
