Thanda Zululand Rhinos stayed in touch with the front runners of the House of Paint Premier Division log leaders College Rovers, Envirosan Old Boys and Acer Durban Collegians when they comfortably beat Maritzburg Varsity 37-3 after only leading 13-3 at the break in the only league game played last weekend.

Varsity more than held their own in the first half but sadly ran out of legs in the second session and would unquestionably be able to compete with the best had they more quality depth in their ranks. As Rhinos coach Kokkie Crous admitted, his team had a very closely-contested first half but felt for the students in the second half as they crumbled to a far more superior side with a far stronger looking bench as the game drew to a close.

The Rhinos secured their all important bonus point with their four tries being shared two apiece to their fast improving fullback Ed Squires and flank Welcome Sayama. It was a particularly pleasing afternoon for Squires, a former Natal Schools fullback out of Maritzburg College coming back into the game after a two year lay off. It clearly looked as though the long lay off had done him more good than harm as he weaved his magic on the night.

Rhinos' flyhalf Ten Ten Tobozeweni kicked the balance of his side’s points with four conversions and three penalties.

In the First Division the log leaders of the South Section Amazimtoti and Hillcrest had relatively easy wins beating Wentworth 57-0 and Durban Varsity 43 12 respectively.

On the subject of Durban Varsity they lost one of their greatest administrators this week when Barry Desmond ‘Cocky’ Crossley (Pictured) passed away after a long and brave fight with cancer. Cocky was unquestionably one of the great characters of the game and a more passionate rugby man you couldn’t find. He and his long time friend Hector McDuling served on the Varsity committee for years and certainly Cocky’s contribution to Varsity rugby will take forever to be equalled-in simple terms he became an icon of student rugby over the years as the tributes start pouring in from near and far.

The Sharks and the KZN Rugby Union would like to extend their deepest sympathies to his family Colleen Sef and Gordon as they bid farewell to one of their favourite sons.

In the other South Section First Division games South Coast Warriors beat Gestetner Maritzburg Collegians and Maritzburg Waratahs accounted for Kokstad 51-0. In the North Section log leaders Vryheid continued their dominance in their section of the competition thrashing Newcastle Highlanders 57-10 and Piet Retief thumped Volksrust 38-6. Pongola edged out the Ladysmith second stringers 25-21 in a hard fought battle.

This weekend sees a full round of Premier Division fixtures being played on Saturday with the match between home side Jonsson Crusaders and House of Paint College Rovers pick of the lot. Old Boys will host Zululand Rhinos, Durban Collegians entertain ChemSpec Jaguars and Durban Harlequins Airtron Coastal travel to the capital to face Maritzburg Varsity at Washington Road.

- Jos Robson - The Mercury