Varsity College ran riot at KINGS PARK on Friday evening beating Oxford Wentworth Harlequins 52-20, which for their new coaching staff under Sam Vermaak and Grant Simpson would have been a most pleasing result in the opening round of the Fidelity Security Moor Cup, although they know all too well there is still a long road ahead and there can be no doubt one cannot really gauge the true strengths of the clubs after just one round.

The most important feature of Friday's game was the fact that it was played in the Shark Tank as the curtain-raiser to the Super 15 clash between The Sharks and the visiting Crusaders side from Christchurch, which was great for the club game to have been showcased at the home of The Sharks.

Quins started with a flourish opening the scoring with a well executed try from wing Andre de Jager but it didn’t last too long with Varsity College skipper, lock Paul Sanders starting the try scoring roll with a great touchdown. The one player that really caught the eye and for my money would have been close to have been named man of the match, Varsity College fullback Kataro Mutsushima who scored two tries of his own in his side's runaway victory. Wing Jarryd Choicotti also scored two tries with Kurt Mavrodaris, Michael Bernadt, Bie Tshalama and Wessel Potgieter collecting the others. Had the Varsity College kicking been a little more accurate then the score line would have looked even far worse for the never say die Bluff side.

Quins other tries came from Sanela Sibanda and Nkuleko Mthethewa with Andre Esterhuizen kicking a penalty and conversion.

Across at Ranleigh Crescent in Durban North on Saturday at the home of Marshall Security Northlands Crusaders, the 2012 Moor Cup holders Jonsson College Rovers were given a real run for their money against their fiery hosts and it was almost the carbon copy of last year’s Castle Murray Cup final. Only this time the Rovers side finished with a lot more fervour running in all their winning tries in the last quarter. Crusaders opened with a try from their skipper prop Ronnie Uys and in fact led 15-7 in the break with their enthusiastic supporters smelling a famous victory. However two tries each from Greg Goosen and Kyle Wilkinson at the death put the game out of reach for the side from Durban North, who, it has to be said, have improved enormously when one compares the squad to last year and will certainly be a lot more competitive this season.

In the other games, SA Home Loans Durban Collegians will be delighted to have got their game in Empangeni out the way. They travelled to Mick Kelly Park to beat the Thanda Waterstone Zuliland Rhinos 27-3 picking up a bonus point in the process while at Woodburn in the Capital, Ricoh Maritzburg Collegians went down to their neighbours FNB UKZN Impi 32-24 in the cities derby match.

It was interesting to see Rovers welcoming Brad Ross from New Zealand, making his debut for the club's second stringers in their 72-0 victory march over Crusaders. Ross is the son of former Rovers, Natal and Bay of Plenty flanker Craig Ross who also played in the All Black trials in the 80s. Also in the line up was fiery flanker Jason Kankowski, younger brother of Sharks loose forward Ryan Kankowski, so keeping it in the Rovers' family.

In the Under 20 ‘A’ Division Rovers got out of jail against their hosts Crusaders edging out the side from Durban North 32-28 in an absolute thriller and one can only say that Saders were so unlucky after coming back from a 24-3 deficit at half-time only to lose at the death. In the other games, Varsity College went on the rampage to beat Harlequins 60-0 and Durban Collegians beat Fidelity Security Jaguars 52-34.

In the First Division Richards Bay shocked Southern Section 2012 champions Amanzimtoti beating the South Coast Terriers 24-20 while up at Shongweni home side Hillcrest went down 13-5 to Ballito Dolphins.

In the picture, Eric Ngoie, Jason Kankowski and Brad Ross of College Rovers after their match against a brave Crusaders outfit.

- Jos Robson