A carnival atmosphere pervaded the environs of Northwood Crusaders Rugby Club in Durban North as Jonsson College Rovers and Envirosan Old Boys went head-to-head in Saturday's final of the Castle Murray Cup Final in front of a large and vocal crowd who witnessed some tough, uncompromising rugby, fitting for a final.

In a fiercely-contested and highly entertaining final, Jonsson college Rovers overcame a determined Envirosan Old Boys side 30-14 to emerge victorious and collect the silverware on offer.

Rovers' 18 point lead in the first half was just reward for their efforts but possibly didn't give credit to some hard work from a competitive oldies team. A Chris Jordaan brace barely minutes apart midway through the first half broke the back of oldies following two early penalties from Wesley Dunlop. With the game still open, the two tries from the captain ultimately proved to be the turning point in the match which at times, threatened to boil over.

However, Old Boys weren't about to give up and when Rovers found themselves in a spot of bother, they were punished, Dylan rutherford the man in possession under a pile of bodies as old boys drove the ball over thanks to their superior numbers. Rovers were down to 13 men after former Sharks (both Natal and Sale in the UK) Rudi Keil - the man who had sparked Jordaan's second try - was sent off and scrumhalf Neil de Bruin already enjoying a stint in the bin.

The try late in the first half brought some respectability to the scoreline but at 18-7 down at the break, Oldies were facing a mountain of work in the second half, albeit with the wind behind them.

The crowd really got behind the underdogs and when Brian Shabangu managed to open the scoring midway through the second half with a try under the posts, the successful conversion from Ryan Matthyson put huge pressure on Rovers' lead.

However, a fairytale ending was not in their favour. Going into the final 10 minutes of the game, Ncedo Koyano managed to get over in the corner following a breakout attack off turnover ball just outside their own 22 to extend Rovers lead to nine points (23-14) and with time just about up, a well-worked move pushed the game out of doubt, when flank Kosie Haarhof scored the final try, converted by Dunlop and the silverware secured.

Awards:

Man of the Match: Chris Jordaan (Jonsson College Rovers)
Most Valuable Player of the Tournament: Wesley Dunlop (Jonsson College Rovers)

Scorers:

Jonsson College Rovers
Tries: Chris Jordaan (capt) x2, Ncedo Koyano, Kosie Haarhof
Conversions: Wesley Dunlop (2)
Penalties: Wesley Dunlop (2)

Envirosan Old Boys:
Tries: Dylan Rutherford, Brian Shabangu
Conversions: Ryan Matthyson (2)

Castle Murray Cup Semi-Finals - Posted 30 August 2010

2009 Castle Murray Cup Champions Jonsson College Rovers have gone through to face Envirosan Old Boys in the final next weekend (2.30pm at Ranleigh Cresent (home of Crusaders) after a hard fought 19-16 win over Goss and Balfe Crusaders in their semi-final clash at the Durban North clubs grounds in Ranleigh Crescent on Saturday afternoon.

In the opening semi-final ‘Oldies’ came from behind to sneak in to beat Acer Durban Collegians 18-16. Collegians senior coach Ray van Noordwyk by his own admission felt that a lack of discipline was the major factor in his side’s demise.

Full marks to Old Boys who trailed 8-3 at the break to come back to take the honours and set up a repeat final from last year.

Both sides scored two tries each with Collegians touch downs coming from wing Kyle Hartley and lock Tom Brown with Jacques Venter kicking two penalties. Old Boys replied with a try from centre Sandro Fernandez and flank Kyle van Deventer who crossed for the match winner with fullback Ryan Matthyson kicking the balance.

In the other semi-final Rovers also came back from the dead to win their way through to the final out scoring Crusaders complete with former ‘Bok’ flyhalf Andre Pretorius in harness two tries to one. The rugby wasn’t pretty but then sem’s are never that entertaining in a do-or-die situation. But all in all it was a great advert fo the club game

Jean Stemmet and Anton Verster scored the tries for Rovers with Wesley Dunlop kicking three penalties. Crusaders replied with a try from flank Juan Language with a drop goal from Pretorius and a conversion and two penalties from Kobus de Kock.

At the Castle Murray Cup draw for 2010 on Monday 19 July, 2010, a special word of thanks and gift were presented to outgoing adjudicators Tim Cocks and Gawie Visagie:

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Standing with the trophies, Pete Smith, Derek Macaskill and Wayne McCauley (Sales and Distribution Director - SAB).