The all Collegians derby between Durban and their hosts Maritzburg at a bitterly cold Woodburn at the weekend was indeed quite an emotional reunion with Acer Durban Collegians coming away with a hard earned 28-5 victory. The Fidelity Security featured game in the Premier Division saw the score line somewhat flattering the Durban side who, even with a number of their Sharks XV players in harness, looked out of sorts for most of the game and with their bonus point try only being scored right on time were lucky to come away with five log points. The victors did however show their true potential in the last quarter with some deft touches.

Ricoh Maritzburg Collegians, who have made a welcome return to the big league this season, can hold their heads high with their skipper centre Rikus Jansen van Rensburg scoring their lone try while flyhalf Tiaan Moor was awarded Fidelity backline player of the day with the side as a whole having performed remarkably well against their more favoured opponents.

Sharks XV loose forward Francois Kleinhans who scored one of the Durban sides four tries was voted Fidelity forward of the match with their other tries coming from lock Peet Marais, Quinton Dormehl and Heimar Williams with Dwane Kelly doing the rest with the boot and at the end of it all there will be a lot of hard work to done at the Durban Collegians headquarters this week as they prepare to face the log leaders Jonsson College Rovers, who themselves will be bitterly disappointed with their performance against Thanda Zululand Rhinos even though they won the game 47-25.

Rovers were given a torrid time by the side from Empangeni who will be hosting FNB UKZN Maritzburg in this week’s Fidelity Security feature game at Mick Kelly Park on Friday evening.

Rhinos took an early lead against Rovers and were 15-7 up in quick time, which clearly raised a few eyebrows and leaving the hosts wondering what had hit them. They nevertheless came back strongly to take the honours but allowed their visitors in for three tries scored by Bruce Muller, Uwe Schmahl and Thokazani Mduli with penalties going to Jimmy Enslin and Corne Els with conversions from Es and Selo Sekhelwa.

Rovers replied with two tries each from No 8 Kosie Haarhoff, centre Chris Micklewood with the others going to Rosco Speckman and Chris Cloete while Jors Dannhauser and Micklewood shared the kicks. Certainly with Collegians and Rovers both having had bad preparation games before their meeting on Friday evening the stage looks set for a grinding but hopefully entertaining clash on KP 10.

In the other big game in the capital hosts Varsity went down 30-13 to Varsity College Old Boys, sadly not exactly a good result for the hosts on their special family day held in association with the Jes Foord Foundation and Rugby against Rape. Overall it was a great celebration of rugby with six institutions involved at the wonderful Peter Booysen facility. UKZN Durban had a return to form beating Maritzburg Waratahs 29-6 at the family day and for many of the Varsity Old Boys it was great to see the Durban students back on the Maritzburg campus.

In the remaining game Bluff SuperSpar Harlequins accounted for Telnet Crusaders 34-24.

Action at the UKZN Maritzburg Rugby Club’s family day in association with the Jes Foord Foundation and Rugby against Rape below.

- Jos Robson