Amanzimtoti go to the top of the Fidelity Security Premier Division after three rounds making it an intriguing start to the competition this season. Their emphatic 43-12 victory march over Thanda Zululand Rhinos last Saturday at Mick Kelly Park in Empangeni has given them a one point cushion over second placed SA Home Loans Durban Collegians who looked decidedly very ordinary against Varsity College edging out the side from Durban North 8-7. The South Coast Terriers making their debut in the Premier Division have really set the cat among pigeons with three remarkable four try bonus point wins and so making their presence felt in no uncertain terms.

Toti ran in seven tries against the luckless Zululand side with wing Richard Shore and lock Pieter Harmse crossing for two each leading the charge. The other tries came from hooker Kevin Buck, No 8 Zander Erasmus and Thinus Volker with Jaco de Jager converting three. The South Coast side will now face their first real test this Saturday when they host 2013 champions Jonsson College Rovers who are now in third place on the log table behind Durban Collegians after their 45-0 win over Ricoh Motswako Pietermatitzburg Collegians.

Enjoying home ground advantage, Rovers still with 10 players sidelined including their key play makers Chris Micklewood and Jors Dannhauser, ran in seven tries without reply with Man of the Match Quinton Crocker at fullback outstanding crossing for two with the others going to centre Matt Phillips, wing Jared Chiocchetti, No 8 Kirk Twine, Gareth Jenkins off the bench and flyhalf Jeandre Small who also kicked five conversions scoring the balance.

Robin Swanepoel, coach of a very talented Durban Collegians squad, must have been tearing his hair out watching his charges against Varsity College as they just managed to squeak home 8-7 across on KP 10 in a tough and dreary encounter. Collegians fullback Mynhardt Van Schalkwyk crossed for their try with flyhalf Calvin Sacks kicking a penalty while for Varsity College their super talented young wing Michael Cloete crossed for his side’s touchdown, which was the try of the match and converted by Armand Peens.

In the remaining game played last Thursday, Nashua Crusaders, flying on the crest of a wave at the moment, hammered FNB UKZN Impi 54-19 on the Howard College campus and one has to ask why on earth are the Varsity Shield squad still being rested at the expense of valuable log points being lost in the opening rounds of the Moor Cup competition.

In First Division South Section, it clearly looks like Harlequins and Richards Bay will be fighting it out for top honours this year whilst not forgetting the South Coast Warriors who have also looked a decidedly improved side this season. The boys from the Bay beat their visitors Westville Old Boys 32-0 while the Mighty Quins had a much tougher game edging out South Coast Warriors 21-15. In the other games UKZN Durban had a good 38-7 win over Ballito Dolphins and Jaguars beat Hillcrest 23-12.

Travilla, the 2 year old filly whose racing career is about to be launched has been donated for the Rescuetch fundraiser All things Rugby breakfast event at Greyville on Thursday 29 May. Travilla is the daughter of Sire Second Empire and Dam Current Secret and recently started her training with Turffontein trainer, Chris Erasmus and assistant trainer Ivan van Wyk at Yellowstar Stud, which is situated approximately 12km outside Mooi River in the Natal Midlands, commonly known as the hub of thoroughbred breeding in the province.

Rescuetech, in association with Durban Aviation, were overwhelmed by the generosity of the de Klerk family who own Yellowstar Stud Farm and will certainly will be guided by Koos de Klerk who is also chairman of the KZN Breeders Association. Certainly his choice Travilla was the best of all the mares on the farm and whoever gets an opportunity to earn shares in the mare at the All things Rugby breakfast fundraiser can look forward to the three year old to start a successful racing career with her.

For tickets to the breakfast that sees Hugh Bladen, Dan Retief, John Allan and Ian McIntosh in conversation on matters All things Rugby contact Ricky Smit at .

Jos Robson