Thanda Zululand Rhinos got their 2009 Captain Morgan Murray Cup knockout competition campaign off to the best possible start when they edged out Jonsson Crusaders 19-14 in their quarter-final match at Ranleigh Crescent in Durban North last Friday. The 2008 champions who beat Crusaders in the final last year held on with some great defensive work while their hosts missed one or two golden opportunities to steal the game away from their visitors but sadly for them some unforced eras cost them dearly.

Rhino’s 18 year old scrumhalf Lesley-Dean Luiters was named best backline player of the match while JC Claassen was voted the best forward on view in the closely contested battle.

House of Paint College Rovers had their first choice scrumhalf Neil Cole playing at centre and winning the award as backline of the game in their 27-6 against ChemSpec Jaguars on their home grounds at Reebok Park (KP 3) such is their dilemma with their player shortages due to injuries and call ups to provincial level. Flank Mark Els who had a storming game for the home side was named forward player of the match.

In the other quarter-finals, Envirosan Old Boys hammered Maritzburg Varsity 61-0 with Wesley Dunlop named best back and Jaco Otto the best forward while Acer Durban Collegians looking a good bet for a berth in the final beat Harlequins 33-5 and had Danie Crous and Jacques Venter named as best forward and back respectively.

In the Junior Murray Cup Hillcrest beat Ballito Dolphins 40-7 in their quarter final encounter while Gestetner Maritzburg Collegians had a walkover against Newcastle Highlanders. Vryheid beat Piet Retief while Amanzimtoti’s hopes of collecting the prized trophy for the first time in their history were crushed when they were beaten 21-6 by South Coast Warriors.

In the Peter Taylor knockout competition cup holders Rovers beat Jaguars 46-0 in their quarter-final clash while in the other games Collegians beat Quins 23-5, Oldies thrashed Varsity 59-0 and Rhinos squeaked home 15-13.

The Captain Morgan Murray Semi-Finals will be played at Durban Collegians Rugby Club on Friday 7 August.

- Jos Robson - The Mercury