Michaelhouse looking to finish the 2025 season on a high note
Michaelhouse heads into their final match of the season, a contest against Hilton College on Saturday morning at Hilton, eager to finish the season on a high note. The encounter will kick-off at 11:30.
This is the second time that the two sides are meeting this year. They were inseparable in their initial fixture earlier in the year, the fixture ended 1-1.
Hilton was one of the three teams that coach Nick Bérichon’s charges failed to conquer in a successful season. Michaelhouse registered 13 wins in 19 outings. They drew three and as many matches. Michaelhouse scored 47 goals, while their exemplary defence conceded only 29.
They put on a sterling performance in their penultimate fixture of the season. Gordon Deutscher flexed his goal-scoring skills in preparation for the upcoming SASHOC Inter-Provincial Tournament with a brace. His KZN Inland u18A teammate, Gregor van Mayer, showed that he is more than just a defender with a goal of his own.
Henry Love, Sithsaba Simukonda, and William Gilson also added a goal each as Michaelhouse romped to a 6-0 victory over Westville Boys’ High.
“I was really happy with our defensive effort. That set the foundation for us to launch attack after attack,” Bérichon told Supersport Schools Plus.
Michaelhouse’s wouldn’t have been so emphatic had it not been for Matthew Hunter’s heroics between the posts. The goalminder expertly repelled Westville’s threatening penalty corners and pulled off several saves on his way to a seventh clean sheet of the season.
Bérichon’s side looked well-drilled when they took set pieces, which allowed them a 50% short corner conversion rate. Three of their six goals came off penalty corners. The coach was pleased with his charges’ clinical approach to set pieces and is hopeful that his charges maintain that incisive edge against Hilton.
No team gets an easy fixture against Hilton. Coach Damian Kimfley‘s charges have been giving sides a good run for their money this season. They come into the contest eager to make amends following their 3-2 loss at the hands of Maritzburg College. Before that loss, they proved their credentials with an inspired 5-3 triumph over an in form Northwood outfit. Kimfley will be hopeful that his charges will rediscover their spark in front of goal, and make the trip to Michaelhouse worthwhile.
Hilton has six players in the KZN Inland u18A IPT squad and Kimfley will be looking to the quintet of Robert Burman, Jayden Roux, Xavier Enslin, Tadi Hove, Reagan Mudau, and Matthew Thomas to help tilt the contest in Hilton’s favour.
Both Michaelhouse and Hilton are on the hunt for bragging rights and that can only mean one thing for the spectator; the match will be a humdinger.
