18 March 2025
RUGBY
On a crisp Saturday afternoon, Hilton College hosted a battle-hardened Westville Boys’ High side on Gilfillan Field in a clash of sides brimming with 1st XV experience.
After 70 minutes of bruising rugby, it was the visitors who emerged victorious, grinding out a 23-15 win built on defensive grit and clinical execution.
Westville’s sharp start was orchestrated by their flyhalf Lux Sononkonkono, whose trusty boot steered them into an early lead with two well-struck penalties. But Hilton, playing on home turf, refused to be dictated to. They clawed their way into the contest, forcing the visitors onto the back foot and earning a 22nd-minute penalty, which Liyema Nela coolly slotted to get the hosts on the board.
The response from Westville was swift and decisive. They set up camp inside Hilton’s 22, applying relentless forward pressure. After a series of bruising phases, lock Moustapher Gcina burst over the try line, dotting down under the uprights. Sononkonkono converted with ease, extending the lead to 13-3.
Hilton then launched an assault of their own. Winning a penalty deep in Westville territory, they opted for touch, backing their maul to get the job done. However, Zander Erasmus‘s charges displayed stubborn defensive bravery, repelling wave after wave of Hilton’s forward surges. Just when it looked like Hilton would strike back, Westville turned the ball over, hacked it downfield, and relieved the pressure in a crucial momentum shift.
Trailing by 10 at the break, Hilton hit back early in the second stanza. A lineout drive in the left-hand corner saw hooker Josh Grant emerge from the heap of bodies with the ball in hand, and when Nela’s conversion bisected the uprights, the hosts had clawed their way to within three.
Westville’s response was clinical. From a five-metre scrum inside Hilton’s 22, the ball was shifted slickly to the backline. Captain Liam Simpkins fired a well-timed pass to inside centre Sean McGough, who ran a hard and direct line, shrugging off tackles before crashing over under the poles. Sononkonkono made no mistake from the tee, pushing the lead to 20-10.
With their backs to the wall, Hilton mounted a relentless siege inside Westville’s 22. Scrum battles were fierce, and Hilton came within inches of scoring multiple times, only to be held up over the line. Their persistence eventually earned them a penalty, and once again they drove for the line. Three times they surged, three times they were denied.
Eventually, Westville broke free, and fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya (feature photo, Westville Boys’ High on Facebook) landed a dagger of a long-range penalty to stretch visitors’ lead to 23-10.
Hilton, to their credit, refused to fade. With time ticking away, they spun the ball wide to left wing Ricky Adonis, who dived over in the corner. Nela’s conversion attempt, however, fell short against the wind, leaving Hilton still trailing by eight.
The closing minutes belonged to Westville, who managed proceedings smartly, keeping Hilton pinned in their own half until the final whistle confirmed a well-earned 23-15 triumph.
It was a match that showcased resilience, tactical nous, and an unwavering defensive stand from the visitors, who left Hilton with a statement victory.
Competition in the open age group was very even, with Hilton scoring three wins, Westville two, and the 2nd XV match ending in a draw.
The visitors won the u16A and u15A games, but Hilton took the u14A honours.
RESULTS
1st: Hilton 15-23 Westville
2nd: Hilton 20-20 Westville
3rd: Hilton 3-27 Westville
4th: Hilton 24-7 Westville
5th: Hilton 12-7 Westville
6th: Hilton 29-0 Westville
16A: Hilton 12-20 Westville
16B: Hilton 24-17 Westville
16C: Hilton 18-17 Westville
16D: Hilton 0-54 Westville
15A: Hilton 21-24 Westville
15B: Hilton 15-23 Westville
15C: Hilton 7-38 Westville
15D: Hilton 14-31 Westville
14A: Hilton 31-7 Westville
14B: Hilton 0-44 Westville
14C: Hilton 0-59 Westville
HOCKEY
On the Mansergh Astro, the Hilton 1st XI took charge early in their clash with Westville, firing in two goals in the first chukka, from Ben Wilson and Matt Thomas.
It got even better for the hosts in the second chukka, with Tadi Hove and Chase Smith striking to give Hilton a handsome 4-0 half-time lead.
Westville managed to stem the bleeding in the second half, but they seldom looked like scoring, with Hilton conceding only one penalty corner in the contest, much to the delight of their coach, Damian Kimfley.
The visitors’ u16 sides dominated their age group, but Hilton returned the favour by winning all three u14 matches.
RESULTS
1st: Hilton 4-0 Westville
2nd: Hilton 2-0 Westville
3rd: Hilton 1-2 Westville
16A: Hilton 0-1 Westville
16B: Hilton 1-4 Westville
16C: Hilton 0-9 Westville
16D: Hilton 0-7 Westville
14A: Hilton 3-0 Westville
14B: Hilton 2-1 Westville
14C: Hilton 2-1 Westville
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