25 March 2025
Hilton College bounced back in emphatic fashion after an opening loss against Westville Boys’ High, dismantling Kearsney College 53-10 on Stott Field in Botha’s Hill, on Saturday. Hilton displayed their class with a dominant performance, combining structure, precision, and power to overwhelm their hosts.
From the outset, Hilton’s intent was clear. Their well-drilled forward pack provided clean, quick ball, allowing their backline to strike with clinical efficiency. Their first try came early, with scrumhalf Zander Vorster whipping the ball out to right-wing Khazimla Makali, who finished brilliantly in the corner after a well-executed dummy run had pulled Kearsney’s defence out of position.
Hilton continued to dictate proceedings. A perfectly placed 22m drop-out allowed their forwards to contest possession and secure the ball. Lock André Boshoff carried powerfully before captain Liyema Nela sliced through the Kearsney defence with a clever dummy. He offloaded to outside centre Guy Fender, who showed his pace and composure to score a sensational try from 35 metres out. Nela added the conversion, pushing Hilton further ahead.
Coach Brad Mcleod-Henderson‘s side kept the pressure on, suffocating Kearsney inside their own half. A stolen lineout just outside the 22 led to Emmanuel Dankwah bulldozing his way through tacklers to score under the posts. Nela’s simple conversion made it 19-0, leaving Kearsney reeling.
The home side managed to get on the scoreboard through a long-range penalty from Doan Nel, but Hilton quickly responded in kind. This time, Zander Vorster stepped up and slotted a penalty to restore their 19-point advantage.
Relentless in their pursuit of dominance, Hilton worked their way deep into Kearsney’s 22. Patient phase play saw the forwards drive repeatedly at the defensive line before Fender dotted down for his second try. Nela’s conversion sent Hilton into halftime with a commanding 29-3 lead.
Hilton picked up where they left off in the second half. A dangerous cross-kick attempt from Nela was charged down, but Hilton recovered possession. Hooker Josh Grant ran hard, drawing in defenders before offloading to Fender, who linked with James Peattie. The fullback drew the final tackler and freed Makali to cross for his second try.
The visitors continued to run rampant. Crisp passing once again opened up space on the right, and Peattie finished clinically. Their confidence was sky-high, and it showed in their execution.
From deep inside their own half, they launched a counterattack up the left touchline before Vorster hoisted a high ball into Kearsney territory. A handling error from the home side allowed Ricky Adonis to pounce. He was brought down but managed to offload to lock Andrew Schnell, who powered through to score. John Grubb converted from out wide, stretching the lead to 46-3.
Hilton wasn’t done yet. A missed touch-finder gifted them another opportunity, and they seized it ruthlessly. Grant initiated the move before the ball was shifted quickly to Fender, who completed his hat-trick. Grubb’s conversion brought up Hilton’s final tally of 53 points.
Kearsney managed a late consolation try through a scintillating counterattack, with fullback Bukho Hlwatika finishing off a well-worked move. Nel converted, but it was little more than a footnote to Hilton’s commanding display.
With the win, Hilton showed that they plan to be in the conversation for KwaZulu-Natal’s best in 2025.
The visitors enjoyed much the better of the open age group contests, sweeping them, but Kearsney picked up wins in the u16A and u15A games. Hilton won the u14A match.
RESULTS
1st: Kearsney 10-53 Hilton
2nd: Kearsney 15-37 Hilton
3rd: Kearsney 8-12 Hilton
4th: Kearsney 0-27 Hilton
5th: Kearsney 5-26 Hilton
6th: Kearsney 22-25 Hilton
7th: Kearsney 5-36 Hilton
16A: Kearsney 36-17 Hilton
16B: Kearsney 17-18 Hilton
16C: Kearsney 10-53 Hilton
16D: Kearsney 45-8 Hilton
15A: Kearsney 24-20 Hilton
15B: Kearsney 20-27 Hilton
15C: Kearsney 0-27 Hilton
14A: Kearsney 14-31 Hilton
14B: Kearsney 19-10 Hilton
14C: Kearsney 21-27 Hilton
HOCKEY
Two goals by Tadi Hove, in quick succession, were enough to secure a hard-fought 2-0 win for Hilton on the AH Mason Astro on Saturday. Kearsney looks like a solid side, but the visitors produced an outstanding showing to score a deserved victory.
Coach Damian Kimfley‘s side has impressed early in the season, having handed Westville a 4-0 loss last weekend. Their status will be properly revealed at the Nomads Festival, which begins on Friday, at Jeppe, in Johannesburg.
Kearsney, coached by Keegan Pearce, meanwhile, heads to Affies for the Founders Festival.
Their open age group teams enjoyed a slight advantage over Hilton. Their u16A and u16B teams won, too, but Hilton took wins in the other three u16 matches. They also claimed three wins and a draw at u14 level.
RESULTS
1st: Kearsney 0-2 Hilton
2nd: Kearsney 1-1 Hilton
3rd: Kearsney 2-0 Hilton
4th: Kearsney 3-1 Hilton
5th: Kearsney 0-0 Hilton
16A: Kearsney 2-0 Hilton
16B: Kearsney 1-0 Hilton
16C: Kearsney 1-5 Hilton
16D: Kearsney 1-0 Hilton
16E: Kearsney 1-4 Hilton
14A: Kearsney 2-3 Hilton
14B: Kearsney 1-3 Hilton
14C: Kearsney 3-4 Hilton
14D: Kearsney 1-1 Hilton
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