5 May 2026
“Luckily, the boys stuck with it until the last minute.”
That, in the end, was the difference on Saturday on Gilfillan Field, where Hilton College edged Michaelhouse 23-21 in another chapter of a rivalry that continues to defy separation.
Hilton coach Brad Macleod-Henderson‘s words rang true. His side had led, been hauled back, and then, with the clock almost spent, found a way to deliver the decisive blow.
“We knew they would keep coming at us,” he said. “They’re a great side. They’ve had some big wins this year. They’re a very gutsy side, and luckily today we just got over the line.”
It was a result that carried added weight. The victory marked Hilton’s 100th over their great rivals, tightening the historic ledger to 101 wins for Michaelhouse, 100 for Hilton, and 10 draws. Fittingly, it came in a contest that, once again, offered almost nothing between the sides.
For long stretches, it appeared Hilton had done enough to put daylight between the teams. They led 13-0 at the break, built on composure, territory, and the reliable boot of John Grubb.
Yet, as Macleod-Henderson acknowledged, “In the second half, it was all Michaelhouse.”
The visitors had threatened early, dominating the opening exchanges territorially, but failed to convert pressure into points. A missed penalty by Alex Jankowitz was later followed by one from Grubb at the other end, before Hilton began to assert themselves.
Two Grubb penalties nudged them ahead, but it was a moment of individual brilliance that lifted the hosts.
Tom Gurupira, one of the smallest players on the field, produced one of the biggest plays of the game. Gathering near the right touchline, he ignited a 40-metre run, stepping and weaving his way through four defenders before finishing under the uprights. It was a score worthy of the occasion and gave Hilton a 13-point cushion at halftime.
It was a lead, however, that always felt vulnerable.
Michaelhouse needed a spark, and they found it early in the second half. Jankowitz, direct and determined, powered through tackles to score, then converted to cut the deficit to six.
They came again soon after, only to be denied by Hilton captain Andrew Schnell, who soared high to steal a crucial lineout five metres from his own line.
“We’re lucky we’ve got Andrew Schnell,” Macleod-Henderson said. “Our captain is probably one of the best in the business. He did a great job for us.”
From that turnover, Hilton struck. Schnell and Gurupira were again at the heart of it. Firstly, Schnell stole a Michaelhouse lineout throw-in in the visitors’ 22. Then, Gurupira finished in the corner (see feature photo) after sustained pressure, and with Grubb off injured, James Peattie stepped up to slot an excellent conversion from wide. It proved vital.
Still, Michaelhouse refused to yield.
Within minutes, they hit back through Jed Reilly, who surged over after slick work from Ben Hughes. Jankowitz converted, and suddenly the gap had all but vanished.
Then came the surge that threatened to rewrite the script entirely. Wave after wave of Michaelhouse pressure eventually told when hooker Max Oliva crashed over with six minutes remaining. Jankowitz’s conversion nudged the visitors into a 21-20 lead – their first of the match.
Momentum had swung decisively. But Hilton had one final response in them.
With time almost up, from near halfway, Liyema Gazi launched an attacking kick infield. A wicked bounce placed Michaelhouse fullback Reece Cole under pressure, and Gazi’s follow-up hit dislodged the ball. Guy Fender reacted quickest, driving play deep into ‘House territory.
Phase after phase followed on the line before the referee’s arm went up for a penalty to Hilton.
Substitute Nico Davel stepped forward and held his nerve, slotting the winning kick as the final whistle sounded.
“Fortunately, we found two points’ scoring opportunities in the second half, and that just got us over the line. I’m very relieved,” Macleod-Henderson admitted.
Reflecting on the decisive sequence, Macleod-Henderson pointed to the fine margins: “We had a penalty 40 metres out, with a couple of minutes to go, and that was turned around. Luckily, we put some pressure on their lineout and got the ball back. We kicked for the corner, found a little bit of space on the edge and put the ball through. We had a lucky bounce. We got the ball back.”
It was, in many ways, a perfect summary of a classic derby – pressure, persistence, and just a touch of fortune.
Hilton remain unbeaten in 2026, seven from seven, but they know how close they came to surrendering that record.
The next Hilton/Michaelhouse instalment awaits in Balgowan, on Meadows, on 20 June, where Hilton will have the chance to draw level in the all-time series. If history is anything to go by, it will be another thriller decided by the finest of margins.
Scorers
Michaelhouse 21 (21) – Tries: Alex Jankowitz, Jed Reilly, Max Oliva. Conversions: Alex Jankowitz (3).
HOCKEY
On the Mansergh Astro, the Hilton and Michaelhouse 1st XI dished up an entertaining clash, with ‘House fighting back from a 0-1 halftime deficit to claim a 4-2 victory, which was highlighted by two goals from Haydn Ravenscroft on his first team debut.
Santiago Matroos opened the scoring for Hilton and later levelled for the home side after they had fallen behind following goals from Henry Yeadon and Ravenscroft. Michaelhouse, though, finished stronger, with late goals from Henry Love and Ravenscroft sealing a hard-fought victory.
“We scored four goals against a really good team, so definitely happy with that,” Michaelhouse coach Nick Bérichon said afterwards.
“We’ve got some work to do in deep defence still. But two young boys have made their debut, and one of them [Haydn Ravenscraft] got two goals. So just super happy for him and super happy for the rest of the boys.”
After a mixed performance at their recent Michaelhouse Hockey Tournament, where they finished fifth, the visitors improved their performance in two crucial aspects of the game. The first was pivotal, given the size of the occasion, and that was discipline and composure. Despite the pressure of the game, they remained calm throughout.
The second was finishing. “We’ve been dominating a lot of games that we’ve been playing, but haven’t been clinical at the end [of the pitch]. I thought it was going to be the same today,” Bérichon said.
But it wasn’t, and his players seized victory with an outstanding performance in the second half.
Result
Hilton College 2-4 Michaelhouse
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