SA Home Loans Durban Collegians couldn't have given their chairman Ian 'Lizard' Losinsky' a better birthday present if they tried by edging out arch rivals Varsity College 31-28 in an enthralling and grueling Fidelity Security Premier Division encounter at the home of the Tigers in Durban North last Friday evening.

Varsity College opened the scoring with a Kurt Mavrodaris penalty his first of three in the game big, Brendon Nel the burly Collegians lock soon crossed the line for the first of his side's four tries that were to earn them that all important bonus point. However, No 8 Wessel Potgieter crossed for the hosts opening try to be converted by Mavrodaris who later landed his second penalty to take the lead and the beginning of the start to what looked like a potential winning formula.

It wasn't to be however and even with Varsity College leading 13-7 at the break and looking ominous with the impression that they had the game in hand, it was that age old Durban Collegians adage of never-say-die that clicked in. The visitors showing real blood and guts went on to score three second half tries with former St.Charles College player flank Carl Marx crossing the chalk for two and his co-flanker Dylan Nel touching down for the other.

Varsity College drew level with tries from from centre Tukuduzwa Chieza and fullback Kotara Matshuima with Mavoradris adding the extra points with the boot, but with the scores level 28-28, flyhalf Duncan Campbell slotted the match-winning winning penalty at the death to give Collegians the well earned victory.

Jonsson College Rovers went on the rampage, thumping a brave Oxford Wentworth Harlequins lineup 58-10 out on the Bluff in quite the most shocking weather conditions. The weather mattered not as the Rovers outfit seem to now have gathered a little more cohesion after two very ordinary opening rounds by their high standards. Wings Jors Dannhauser and Wandile Mjekevu crossed for two tries each for the winners while the others went to the Goosen brothers Mark and Greg, Chris Kemp, New Zealand lock Brad Ross making his debut for the First XV, Alvin Brandt and Chris Jordaan with Chris Micklewood and Dannhauser sharing the kicks.

On the Durban University campus, FNB UKZN Impi continue quietly going about their business as they ran up another impressive win, beating Thanda Zululand Rhinos 37-8 and must seriously be considered the dark horses in the quest for Moor Cup honours this year. Marshall Security Crusaders picked up their first win of the season beating Ricoh Martzburg Collegians 38-10.

In the First Division, UKZN Durban beat Fidelity Security Jaguars 18-9 while Amanzimtoti had a 44-7 runaway victory over South Coast Warriors in a wet Port Shepstone. Ballito Dolphins had a good away win beating Westville 26-10 while up at Shongweni, Land Rover Hillcrest went down 31-5 to the visitors from Zululand Richards Bay.

Rovers go to the top of the Under 20 'A' Division table after beating Harlequins 38-3, Varsity College edged out Durban Collegians 6-3, UKZN Durban went down 15-8 to Crusaders and Jaguars beat UKZN Maritzburg 9-5.

Jos Robson