This season's Fidelity Security Moor Cup has thrown up a few surprises and on Saturday SA Home Loans Durban Collegians survived a mighty scare to claim a nail-biting 8-7 victory over Varsity College. Collegians went into the match top of the log and heavily fancied to claim maximum points but they were met with strong resistance from the Durban North outfit who put in a gutsy performance.

In the end it was a first half try from debutant Mynhardt van Schalkwyk and a converted penalty from Calvin Sacks towards the end of the half that saw Collegians over the line. Varsity College got their try from winger Michael Cloete. All points were scored in the first half as the game turned into a scrap fight in the second period.

Collegians coach, Robin Swanepoel, admitted that his team were lucky to come away with the victory and said his team's overall performance was poor.

"We just didn't pitch up today and I must be honest and say we were fortunate to claim the victory," said Swanepoel.

"We will head back knowing that this was a bit of a shocker and definitely will have to improve. This was a reminder that there are no easy games in this league."

Varsity College's assistant coach Shaun van Rensburg was disappointed with the result but praised his players for a gritty performance. "We could have won this game," he said. "We worked hard and put in a good effort. We have proved today that we won't be pushovers for any team this season."

Elsewhere the defending Moor Cup champions Jonsson College Rovers bounced back to winning ways with a comfortable 45-0 thumping of Ricoh Motswako Pmb Collegians. They picked up a maximum haul of five points with seven different try scorers. Among them Quinton Crocker, Matt Phillips, Jeandre Small, Jaryd Chiochetti and Gareth Jenkins. Small was successful with all the conversions.

The big talking point of the weekend will be Amanzimtoti's impressive start to the season as they won three on the trot with a 43-12 victory over Zululand Rhinos in Empangeni. The bonus point victory sees Toti move to the top of the Moor Cup standing with a maximum haul of 15 points after three games.

On Thursday, Nashua Durban Crusaders were impressive in their 54-19 demolition of UKZN Impi in Pietermaritzburg. The impressive winger Troy Chiochetti, the brother to Rover's Jaryd, was instrumental, grabbing a brace in the process.

Ismail Adam