Hilton College were on Wednesday crowned the Schools T20 Challenge provincial champions after defeating Clifton College in the final.

Strong batting performances from Michael Sclanders and Gareth Schreuder saw Hilton win by 62 runs at the Pietermaritzburg Oval.

Sclanders amassed an impressive 67 off 53 balls, consisting of eight fours and one six, before becoming one of Simon Holmes’ four victims.

Schreuder, who went out for 49 off 35 balls, followed soon after Sclanders when he was bowled by Holmes in the 19th over.

The home side set a strong tone as they finished on 148-5 in their 20 overs.

The pick of the bowlers for Clifton College was the in-form Holmes with 4-27.

However, it was the batsmen who battled for the Durban side when they lost four wickets inside the first six overs.

Captain Matthew Montgomery tried to hold it down for his side but, unfortunately, he was dismissed by Colby Dyer for 32 off 24 balls.

Thereafter, wickets fell regularly as Clifton were all out for 86 with three overs to spare.

Hilton College will now head to Pretoria for the national finals where they will face schools from the other franchise winners.

The three-day national finals will take place at the University of Pretoria Cricket Oval from 16-18 March.