23 September 2025
Hilton College‘s bug bear of 2025, inconsistent form with the bat, hurt them on the Hart-Davis Oval on Saturday, paving the way for Michaelhouse to claim a comfortable five-wicket victory in their long-standing rivalry.
Winning the toss when playing at Hilton is an important factor, and when it went Michaelhouse’s way, they had no hesitation in choosing to field first.
Put in, to bat, Hilton stumbled badly. Their top order was dismantled by the new-ball pairing of Rendani Nonge and Thandanani Zuma and, at 24/6 in the 12th over, the hosts were in danger of being bundled out for under 50. Eventually, though, they limped to 105 all out, with their lower order salvaging some respectability.
Nonge led the charge with 4/29 in 6.4 overs, ably supported by Zuma’s 2/21 from eight. Ben Heuer kept the squeeze on with 1/14 in seven, while Liam O’Dwyer chipped in with 2/13 to ensure Hilton never built momentum.
David Hill, batting at nine, provided the only fireworks, striking 32 from 34 balls with two fours and two sixes. Robert Burman (18) and Luke Wilson (18 from 64 balls) added some substance, but the total was well short of par.
Michaelhouse’s reply wasn’t without its own hiccups. Jayden Roux produced a fiery opening spell, dismissing the top three and reducing the visitors to 21/3. When Sechaba Gude accounted for Hayden Hewlett, ‘House was suddenly 27/4 and the contest was in the balance.
Nicholas Baker and Heuer, however, steadied the innings with a composed stand of 55 for the fifth wicket. Baker struck four boundaries in a lively 41 from 38 balls before falling to Hill. By then, though, Michaelhouse was firmly in control.
Heuer finished unbeaten on 40 from 32 deliveries, sealing the result in the 21st over with four fours and two sixes to his name.
Roux returned 3/31 from six overs for Hilton, while Hill (1/0) and Gude (1/15) offered support, but their efforts couldn’t mask the damage done by the home side’s faltering batting display.
SCORES
Hilton College 105 all out (David Hill 32; Rendani Nonge 4/29, Liam O’Dwyer 2/13, Thandanani Zuma 2/21)
Michaelhouse 107/5 (Nicholas Baker 41, Ben Heuer 40*; Jayden Roux 3/31)
Michaelhouse won by five wickets
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