One of the biggest crowds ever seen in recent club rugby memory gathered on the South Coast yesterday, when home favourites Amanzimtoti suffered their first defeat of the season as Jonsson College Rovers ran out 40-24 winners in round four of the Fidelity Security Moor Cup.

Among the try scorers were Matt Phillips with a brace, flyhalf Juandre Small and ex-springbok winger Jongi Nokwe. The bonus point victory put an end to Toti's brilliant start in the competition but the home team put up a spirited performance in defeat. The 17 -17 half time score reflected the even nature of the match.

In the end though, Rovers who have been out of sorts in recent weeks, engineered a hard fought victory. It sees the defending champions move to second on the Moor Cup standings on 16 points - one above above Toti.

Over at Riverside there was no love lost in the Durban North derby as Nashua Durban Crusaders claimed a comprehensive 28-3 victory over neighbours Varsity College. Crusaders forwards were instrumental in their team's victory with Byron van der Nest (2), prop Cameron Dodds and centre Willem Rheeder getting on the score sheet.

Crusaders got their first try as early as the fifth minute as they mauled their way from all of 30m to dot down via Byron van der Nest. They boast quite a formidable tight five who have been in good form this season. They were 14-0 up five minutes later as centre Willem Rheeder dotted down. Flyhalf Cameron Dunlop was successful with both conversions.

Their dominant forward pack ensued they took a commanding 21-3 half time lead which they didn't look like relinquishing. The second half saw Varsity College with a lot more possession but the Crusaders defence stood firm against everything their opponents threw at them. They eventually got their fourth and bonus point try in the last quarter of the game from van der Nest.

Their player/coach Ronnie Uys was delighted with the victory and heaped praise on his tight five. "We played well today and I am happy with the forwards," said Uys.

"They are a physical unit and have been playing extremely well. At this rate I might find it difficult to get back into this team after my injury."

Meanwhile in Pietermaritzburg, SA Home Loans Durban Collegians were in devastating form as they thumped Ricoh Motswako Pmb Collegians 62-8. The Durban outfit were out of sorts last weekend when they came close to being defeated but they returned to form yesterday. The maximum haul of five points sees Durban Collegians take control of the Moor Cup standings as they move to top of the log on 19 points.

In the basement battle, FNB UKZN Impi scored a much-needed 53-24 victory over the Zululand Rhinos in Empangeni. It has been a disastrous start for both teams this season, however Impi will be buoyed by having their first team players back after Director of Rugby, John Mitchell decided to rest them after their Varsity Shield exploits. Matt Reed who is overseeing the student's Moor Cup campaign will be delighted with the victory which sees them move off the bottom of the log onto five points. Rhinos remain winless at the foot of the table.

Ismail Adam