20 May 2026
Hilton College‘s unbeaten run rolled on impressively on Saturday as Brad Macleod-Henderson‘s charges swept aside Pretoria Boys High 44-7 on Brooks Field to claim a ninth successive victory of the season.
The visitors were in control from almost the outset, racing into a 23-0 halftime lead through a blend of clinical finishing, organised defence, and polished teamwork. Once again, Hilton looked like a side comfortable in its systems, with the forwards laying a solid platform and the backs exploiting space with confidence and precision.
At the heart of much of their best work was fullback James Peattie, who delivered a superb all-round performance. Dangerous on the counterattack and assured under the high ball, he repeatedly turned defence into attack and was central to Hilton’s ability to keep Pretoria Boys High under pressure.
Flyhalf Nico Davel, meanwhile, continued to grow in stature at 1st XV level. Having stepped up impressively in Hilton’s narrow derby win over Michaelhouse, he once again controlled matters calmly and kicked outstandingly from the tee.
Hilton got the scoreboard rolling early, striking with less than two minutes played. After moving the ball from touchline to touchline with impressive fluency, Ruan Mulder sent Tom Gurupira over in the right-hand corner. Davel added an excellent touchline conversion for a 7-0 lead.
Moments later, Hilton’s forwards took charge. A powerful rolling maul marched deep into Boys High territory before Callan Kenmuir broke clear. Peattie was hauled down just short of the line, but when the ball was illegally slowed, eighthman Zander Muller reacted quickest, tapping quickly to score. Five minutes in, Hilton already led 14-0.
Pretoria Boys High enjoyed more possession thereafter, but Hilton’s defence stood firm. That has become a hallmark of their season, with opponents repeatedly finding opportunities limited by Hilton’s physicality and organisation.
When the home side missed a penalty attempt in the 18th minute, Davel responded by stretching the visitors’ advantage with a successful kick of his own. Soon after, Peattie drew loud applause by drilling over a huge penalty from inside his own half before Davel added another three-pointer to send Hilton into the break 23-0 ahead.
The visitors resumed with the same intent. Early second-half pressure produced another try when Gurupira’s clever pop-up pass sent Peattie over in the left corner. Davel again converted superbly from the touchline.
Even after Muller was yellow-carded for a tip tackle, Hilton remained composed. Peattie launched another dangerous counterattack and cleverly grubbered behind the defence for Guy Fender to finish.
Pretoria Boys High eventually found reward through an intercept try, converted by Reinier Kruger, but Hilton finished strongly. A surging carry from Ross Steyn set up one final flowing movement, which ended with Davel adding the extras to seal a dominant 44-7 victory.
Overall, Hilton College won eight matches, and Pretoria Boys High won 10. Boys High dominated the u16 matches, winning all four, while Hilton made a clean sweep of the three u14 games.
Results
1st: PBHS 7-44 Hilton
2nd: PBHS 13-37 Hilton
3rd: PBHS 17-23 Hilton
4th: PBHS 5-38 Hilton
5th: PBHS 21-12 Hilton
6th: PBHS 22-13 Hilton
7th: PBHS 60-14 Hilton
16A: PBHS 34-20 Hilton
16B: PBHS 24-7 Hilton
16C: PBHS 30-3 Hilton
16D: PBHS 47-3 Hilton
15A: PBHS 17-18 Hilton
15B: PBHS 27-14 Hilton
15C: PBHS 43-10 Hilton
15D: PBHS 81-0 Hilton
14A: PBHS 12-43 Hilton
14B: PBHS 15-34 Hilton
14C: PBHS 7-19 Hilton
HOCKEY
On the Astro, the competition was keen, with the Hilton 1st XI winning their clash by the odd goal in five.
Boys High won three, Hilton won two, and one open age group match was drawn.
The u16A match finished in a draw, while Hilton squeezed out a 1-0 win in the u14A game.
How close were matters at u16 level? Four of the five matches ended in draws, with the other, the u16E match, tilting Hilton’s way by a 3-2 margin. Boys High won three of four in the u14 age group.
Results
1st: PBHS 2-3 Hilton
2nd: PBHS 0-1 Hilton
3rd: PBHS 1-1 Hilton
4th: PBHS 2-1 Hilton
5th: PBHS 3-0 Hilton
6th: PBHS 3-2 Hilton
16A: PBHS 2-2 Hilton
16B: PBHS 1-1 Hilton
16C: PBHS 2-2 Hilton
16D: PBHS 1-1 Hilton
16E: PBHS 2-3Hilton
14A: PBHS 0-1 Hilton
14B: PBHS 1-0 Hilton
14C: PBHS 3-1 Hilton
14D: PBHS 2-0 Hilton
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