Test match…

I was 13. I was made of Kevlar, at least I thought I was, and that was enough. We were main! We had lost to College early season and missed out to beating Glenwood by 1 point. We were so main.

Now we stood in the quad, brothers in arms. A freezing cold autumn night. The only thing that drowned out the thumping of our hearts was the raucous noise of 500 screaming boys.

The game was a blur. We scored early and defended until half time. Gidaracous, Conradie and Edgar were their usual devastating selves, but the forward were even better. God we were so main.

They were better than we thought. The Huff guy could carry, Rutherford never stopped tackling and when Bastard connected those kicks went forever. They were right; Bullimore was fast but such a pussy. Man, that Greek prop was ugly.

They didn’t give up. Never. Jono scored in the second half. We won. We stood on the field in awe of the day, the atmosphere and the victory…

Hilton/Michaelhouse didn’t change my life. It revolutionized it. I played 9. Some guys are lucky enough to play more. They aren’t the hardest opposition, but they’re the most important. Some of them were important enemies, now they’re important friends…although some didn’t convert.

The other victories, the other losses all pale insignificance. Rivalry is what makes life interesting, it makes competing important and it makes it fun...

This Saturday, the First XVs run out against each other to bring the house down on what is a monumental day of festivities. From u14D teams to First teams and including the other winter sport, every boy faces an opposition boy on that day and the competition is fierce.

Michaelhouse go in massive favorites with 6 SA schools players and a very positive 19-5 drubbing of powerful Westville last weekend. Hilton isn't in the same boat on paper, especially after losing to Kearnsey, on the weekend but the game isn’t played on paper.

It’s played between the white chalk lines of Gilfillian and Meadows and you won’t find a game anywhere in the country that a player wants to win more…