Foton Maritzburg Varsity caused one of the biggest upsets in club rugby in a long while when they beat Goss and Balfe Crusaders 23-19 on their home grounds at Washington Road in the capital at the weekend leaving Acer Durban Collegians and Jonsson College Rovers with a big cushion on top House of Paint Premier Division log table. The competition clearly now begins to look more and more like a two way run in for top honours and that most prized piece of silverware - the Moor Cup.

Clearly the break in club rugby, because of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, has affected some of the sides more than others. The students who led 15-7 at the break have certainly turned their fortunes around and the sweet taste of victory could well see them cause a few more headaches for some of their more favoured opponents in the league as the season runs its course.

Durban Collegians had Quinton Dormehl in fine form with the ever-improving winger flying in for two of his side’s five tries in their 35-14 win over Envirosan Old Boys at the Riverside Sport complex in Durban North. Collegians were clinical in their execution with the disposing Old Boys in a convincing display and certainly look like a side that wants to take home the spoils this season although knowing head coach, Ray van Noordwyk, he will clearly be telling his charges that there is a lot more room for improvement especially after all the yellow cards that were dished out to his team. At one stage three Collegians players were getting to know each other behind the Old Boys poles - something no team can afford.

Thankfully ‘Oldies’ didn’t do much damage in that period with Collegians other tries coming from centre Steve Krause, wing Kyle Hartley and No 8 Hennie Linde with centre Quinton Crocker kicking two conversions and two penalties. Old Boys replied with tries from prop Henri Swarts and wing Brandon Hart with fullback ‘JC’ Van Rensberg slotting converting both the tries.

Across the Umgeni at Reebok Park (KP 3) Rovers made heavy weather of it in beating Thanda RZA Zululand Rhinos after the home side only managed to hold onto a narrow 13-12 lead at the break. Rovers certainly know how to make life difficult for themselves looking very ordinary in the first half. They did manage to come good in the second half eventually scoring five tries to three against the never say die boys from Zululand.

Roy Bursey the big Under 20 No 8 who scored two tries coming off the bench is a name to pencil in for the future while the other Rovers points came from tries by wing Anton Vester, flank Jody Jenniker and flyhalf Wesley Dunlop who also kicked three conversions and a drop goal. Rhinos replied with tries from wing Frans Laatz, scrumhalf Michale Neysschens and Chrislyn van Schalkwyk with Francois Bodenstein kicking two conversions.

In the First Division Hillcrest edged out South Coast Warriors 15-10 and Gestetner Maritzburg Collegians beat Teichmann Bell 26-20 in another closely contested game marking the opening of their new pitch at Ashton College. It perhaps wasn’t the result they wanted but there can be no doubt that the future does look bright for the game up the North Coast.

The launch of the Starlite Aviation Under 19 Cup took place at the Starlite premises at Virginia Airport last night with the competition scheduled to start next Wednesday. 21 July.