JONSSON College Rovers kicked off the inaugural Cell C Community Cup with an impressive 38-17 win over GAP Despatch, while there were also victories for wild cards African Bombers, Raiders and Roses United on the opening weekend of the new 20-team national tournament.

Rovers were clinical in the opening match against Despatch at Kings Park 3, scoring four tries to two to grab a five-point haul ahead of their 2000km return journey to fellow Pool A opponents Aveng Moolmans Sishen in Kathu next Saturday.

The Durban-based outfit, who in the process notched their 80th victory in 84 matches dating back four seasons, held a 13-3 lead at the break before pulling away in the second period with centre Sergio Torrens, replacement back Kyle Wilkinson and scrumhalf Tian Meyer dotting down to go with the try scored by flanker Murray Bondesio in the first stanza. Fullback Jors Dannhauser weighed in with 15 points by way of three penalties and three conversions.

Full Results, Round 1:

Pool A:

Jonsson College Rovers (13) 38 – Tries: Tian Meyer, Sergio Torrens, Murray Bondesio, Kyle Wilkinson. Conversions: Jors Dannhauser (3). Penalties: Greg Goosen, Dannhauser (3).
GAP Despatch (3) 17 – Tries: Basil de Doncker, Monty Dumond. Conversions: Dumond (2). Penalty: Dumond.

Villagers Worcester (7) 24 – Tries: Jowayne van Wyk, Freginald Africa, Cliven Malies. Conversions: Jaylen Fortune, Yazeed Johnson (2). Penalty: Johnson.
Aveng Moolmans Sishen (10) 20 – Tries: Johan Peens, Gert Cloete, Christiaan Treurnicht. Conversion: Tiaan le Roux. Penalty: Le Roux.

Pool B:

Pretoria Police (27) 35 – Tries: Ruan van Loo (2), Louis van Biljon, Michael Nienaber. Conversions: Dillon Laubscher (3). Penalties: Laubscher (3).
Durbanville-Bellville (7) 26 – Tries: Marthinus Keyser, Divan Batt, Raynor Becker, Jody Reyneke. Conversions: Theuns Kotze (3).

African Bombers (19) 35 – Tries: Mlindazwe Nqoro, Xolela Payi (2), Conversion: Masixole Banda. Penalties: Banda (6).
Welkom Rovers (7) 22 – Tries: Jaco Pretorius, Hennie Prinsloo, Cobus Aucamp. Conversions: Pieter Strydom (2). Penalty: Strydom.

Pool C:

Rustenburg Impala (13) 24 – Tries: Wendal Wehr, Duane Jordaan. Conversions: Naas Olivier (1). Penalties: Olivier (4).
Roodepoort (6) 13 – Try: Jessie Geyer. Conversion: Hennie Oosthuizen. Penalties: Steven Griffiths (2).

BB Truck Noordelikes (0) 12 – Tries: Everard Bye (2). Conversion: Zander Byleveldt.
Raiders (28) 45 – Tries: Ryno Hendrikz, Jimmy Baloyi, Jama Ntengo, Dean Swart, Carlo Moodie. Conversions: Shaun Davids (4). Penalties: Davids (4).

Pool D:

Roses United (22) 65 – Tries: Jacquin Ruthford, Hagen Mumba (2), Ryan Julies, Ramon Samuels, Denver Fortuin (2), Carlyle Lawrence, Neil Papier. Conversions: Hagen Mumba (7). Penalties: Mumba (2).
White River (22) 36 – Tries: Tjokkie van Tonder, Lodewyk van Staden, Conrad Botha, Gerrit Stoltz, Jaco Marneweck, HJ Neethling. Conversions: Van Tonder (3).

Broubart Old Selbornian (0) 8 – Try: Ludwe Booi. Penalty: Glen Warner.
Brakpan (12) 15 – Tries: Shaun Botes, Franco Booysen. Conversion: Gido Horn. Penalty: Charl Niewenhuis.

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