The Ronnie van Rooyen Day Hosted by Airtron Harlequins out on the Bluff last Saturday produced some competitive and entertaining rugby as the Premier Divisions clubs came together in celebration of the life of a fine club man ‘Oom Ronnie’ - undoubtedly the mightiest Quin of them all.

The clubs are to be congratulated for producing some superb rugby under trying conditions with the extreme heat and humidity. In the opening game Goss and Balfe Crusaders, under their new coach former Springbok Blue Bulls and Sharks scrumhalf Robert du Preez, edged out Jonsson College Rovers 22-14. The score was perhaps a little flattering for Crusaders with so many scoring opportunities going begging for the Durban North club due to so many unforced errors by their talented backs. Rovers who did look good in patches themselves also squandered a few opportunities of their own but it’s early days yet and the rusty areas are sure to be ironed out by both clubs before the season proper starts on 10 April.

Certainly the games gave every indication that the competition is going to be a lot tougher this season, none more so than the game between Envirosan Old Boys and a new-look Maritzburg Varsity. ‘Oldies came away with a 14-3 win but were made to work hard for their victory. The students are definitely going to be a lot more competitive this year especially on their home grounds at Washington Road in the capital. ChemSpec Jaguars may not be too happy with their result having only beaten Second Division side Amanzimtoti 33-22 and will need to do a lot of work in the build up to their opening league game.

Toti, the 2009 South Section champions, one would imagine will be one of the favorites alongside Vryheid to take the overall Second Division league title this season-time will tell with their season kicking off on 26 March.

In the remaining game Acer Durban Collegians accounted for hosts Harlequins 22-5. With no-one in their right mind being able to predict too much into these pre-season games, Collegians never looked too hard-pressed but coach Ray van Noordwyk, now back in the hot seat with his club, was clearly not that satisfied with his charges and will no doubt be working hard with them for some improvements before the season starts next month.

In the second team games Rovers beat Crusaders 10-0, Maritzburg Varsity raised a few eyebrows beating Old Boys 25-0 and Collegians beat Harlequins 19-5.

In the Frank Norris Under 20 ’A’ league Collegians remained the only unbeaten side in the competition beating Maritzburg 48-22 while Rovers went on the rampage scoring 14 tries of which 11 were converted in their run away 92-3 victory march over Jaguars. Skipper Brynand Stander and Hendrik Hogenbozem both crossed for three tries each with the others going to Leroy Abrahams, De Wet Bergh, Justin Christofuros, Carl Meyer, Charlie Purdon, Kelvin Adam and Andrew Norton. Norton and Meyer shared the kicks.

In the remaining game Thanda ZRA beat Old Boys 38-5 and clearly leaving the league interestingly poised going forward for the rest of the season. The Empangeni ‘B’ side beat Oldies ‘C’ side 41-17 showing just how improved the Zululand outfit is this year and so good for the game in that region. Hats of to the Zululand Academy it must be said.