Sports Reporter
Hilton College and Michaelhouse each secured a victory in their KwaZulu-Natal Midlands cricket derby over the weekend, with Hilton overturning Friday’s eight-wicket defeat to claim a commanding 100-run win on Saturday.
The two schools met on 6 and 7 November in separate fixtures, with Saturday’s encounter at Hilton’s Hart-Davis Oval forming part of a fundraising initiative in support of cancer awareness.
As reported by Superschoolsnews, Michaelhouse took the early honours on Friday, winning the rain Schools SA20 Derby Series match at the Roy Gathorne Oval in Balgowan.
After limiting Hilton to 132/7 in their allotted 20 overs, Michaelhouse reached the target with 17 deliveries remaining and eight wickets in hand.
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Liam O’Dwyer was the standout performer with the ball, taking four wickets for 21 runs from his four overs to restrict Hilton’s scoring opportunities.
Barack Munawa provided Hilton’s main resistance, making 47 from 48 balls, but the visitors were unable to establish sufficient momentum to post a more challenging total.
Michaelhouse captain Graydon Leslie subsequently anchored the successful chase, scoring 55 off 41 deliveries, including eight boundaries.
He received valuable support from Cody Sander, who remained unbeaten on 46 from 48 balls. Their 77-run partnership helped Michaelhouse complete the chase comfortably.
The result put Michaelhouse ahead in the weekend’s meetings, but Hilton produced a markedly different performance when the teams met again the following day.
Saturday’s traditional cricket fixture saw Hilton bat first and post 190, with Aiden Clubb leading the scoring on 34.
Sange Qanqule contributed 29, while Sean Burman made an unbeaten 23 and Ben Wilson added 21.
Michaelhouse’s bowling attack shared the wickets, with Preston Greene returning figures of 2/28, Rex Wardlaw taking 2/29 and O’Dwyer adding another two wickets at a cost of 43 runs.
However, the visitors struggled to establish a foothold in their reply as Hilton’s bowlers took control.
Ross Hill produced the most economical spell of the match, taking three wickets for just three runs across five overs, three of which were maidens.
Sechaba Gude claimed two wickets for 13 runs, Cameron Hargroves took 2/12 and Burman added 2/23 to his earlier contribution with the bat.
Michaelhouse were eventually dismissed for 90 in 26.1 overs, with Ben Heuer’s 16 the highest individual score.
The result gave Hilton victory by 100 runs and ensured the schools finished the weekend with one win apiece.
Saturday’s match also carried significance beyond the boundary.
Hilton hosted the encounter as part of its annual Pink Day, an initiative supporting PinkDrive, which works to improve awareness of cancer and access to screening services.
The school’s fundraising campaign, known as Wickets for Lives, encouraged the wider school community to participate through donations and contributions linked to the cricket.
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Supporters were also invited to sponsor trees decorated in pink to recognise people affected by cancer.
Hilton and Michaelhouse first played cricket against each other on 26 November 1904.
The schools have since developed a strong cricketing tradition and produced several players who have represented South Africa.
Among them are former Proteas captain Alan Melville and Dale Benkenstein, who attended Michaelhouse, as well as Mike Procter and Lungi Ngidi, who attended Hilton.
