Acer Durban Collegians had a tough time of it in beating Bluff SuperSpar Harlequins 14-10 in the second round of the Fidelity Security Premier Division. Even with home ground advantage, they made heavy weather of their nail-biting victory. But in their defence, they did have a lot of injury problems that didn’t really help matters.

Quins outscored their hosts by two tries to one with flyhalf Fred Zeilinger the toast of the home side with three important penalties that made the difference in a game that disappointingly didn’t rise to great heights. Harlequins are definitely a far more improved and competitive outfit and their second stringers edging out Collegians 21-19 indicates that they are, at long last, making good ground with a bit more depth than what they have had in the past. Their tries were scored by wing Malcolm Moore and centre Ryan Gagnepain while Collegians skipper Skholiwe Ndlovu replied with their lone try.

Across the way Collegians neighbours Jonsson College Rovers had a far better result, handsomely beating Varsity College Old Boys 41-3 after Oldies had opened the scoring in the first minute with a Steven Moir penalty. After that it was all Rovers who crossed for six tries with flyhalf Andrew Borgen and flanker Kosie Haarhoff crossing for two each. Wing Jors Dannhauser and fullback Chris Jordaan crossed for the remaining two touchdowns with Borgen adding four conversions and one penalty for a personal tally of 21 points for the game. From a Rovers perspective, they certainly didn’t play to their full potential and with this in mind will take a lot of beating this season.

In the remaining games, Ricoh Maritzburg Collegians have made it abundantly clear that they deserve their Premier Division status, narrowly beating Thanda Zululand Rhinos 20-17 at Mick Kelly Park in Empangeni while FNB UKZN Pietermaritzburg had an easy 56-7 win over Telnet Crusaders at Washingtom Road in the capital.

In the First Division, FNB UKZN Durban had a great away win against Fidelity Security Jaguars, beating the Sydenham outfit 22-15, giving the Durban students the best possible start to the season with everything looking a lot more positive for them than it has in the past. In the other games, Teichmann Bell Ballito Dolphins made it two in a row, thrashing Maritzburg Waratahs 86-3 after edging out Amanzimtoti 14-13 in the opening round and Toti beat Hillcrest 18-9 at the Villagers Shongweni home grounds.

In the Under 20 ‘A’ Division, Rovers hammered Midlands 111-6 - sadly a result not good for the game, while Harlequins finished off a good day at the office beating Collegians 33-17 and Old Boys beat Crusaders 24-8 at Ranleigh Crescent.

The third round on Friday evening sees Rovers travelling to the Bluff to face home side Harlequins while Old Boys host their neighbours Crusaders and Zululand Rhinos travel to Durban to face Durban Collegians, while all eyes will be on the Maritzburg Fidelity Security derby between Collegians and Varsity at Peter Booysen Park in Washington Road where the sponsors have organised a fun evening for what will hopefully be a festive evening of club rugby for spectators and families alike

- Jos Robson