Toti 1sts almost weather Titan rugby battle against Rovers

IN front of what was quite possibly the biggest crowd seen at any club game in recent seasons, Amanzimtoti 1st team took on Jonsson College Rovers and for 60 minutes of the game, the impossible seemed possible as the home team stretched the full strength Rovers outfit to their limit.

In the end though, Rovers showed why they are current KZN club champions and favourites to retain their crown, by weathering the storm and scoring at crucial times to take the game away from a gallant Toti outfit, two of their tries coming via ex Springbok winger Jongi Nokwe, who showed that he has lost none of his blistering pace.

With the scores tied up at 17-all at the half time break, there would have been some murmurs among the home support that an upset was brewing. These murmurs might have turned up a notch or two in volume when centre Richard Shore scored his second try of the match, with Jaco de Jager adding the conversion, to give Toti a 24-17 lead which they held onto until the 60th minute of this absolutely enthralling encounter.

With inside centre Ryno Els off the field with an ankle ligament injury and winger Kyle Lubbe also off with a recurring hamstring injury, the Toti coaching staff had to do some reshuffling among the backline, which did not help much with continuity, with the replacements playing out of position for the last quarter of the game. It was then that Rovers wrested back some control and showed their undoubted class, running in 23 unanswered points by way of three tries, one of which was converted, and two penalties.

By their own admission the 40-24 scoreline was perhaps a bit flattering towards the visitors, with two of the tries being scored against the run of play. One such try happened when Rovers turned over a scrum ball defending their own line five metres out, with Nokwe running the length of the field to score. A scoreline of 30-24 in favour of Rovers would perhaps been more indicative of the close nature of the game.

It was also a difficult call as to who would receive the man of the match awards, with every player doing their bit on the day. It was decided however that the award for forward of the day go to Sabatha Mokhchane, who was superb in the fetching role on the flank. The back of the day award went to Richard Shore for his brilliant display on the wing and then at centre, when Ryno went off injured.

Try scorers were Matthew ‘Cheese’ McDonald and Richard Shore, who scored twice.

Flyhalf Jaco de Jager was successful with three conversions and a penalty.

The Toti 2nd team ran onto the pitch with their tails up after their great win against Rhinos.

The Mighty College Rovers ran in a quick four tries which Toti was totally unprepared for.

The boys in orange weathered the storm and regrouped in the second half. The forwards playing some well structured rugby with Dylan Kelly again manning the forwards and JL Kotze this week’s man of the match scoring a try which Jason Hines, the skipper, safely converted. Rovers went on to score twice more, winning the match 44-7. Eugene ‘Pukke’ du Plessis put in some great tackles, however, the backline man of the match was undeniably awarded to Henri Woest for his awesome efforts.

Saturday saw the Toti 3rds continue their unbeaten run in the Foaden Bowl with a very hard fought 15-5 victory over old foes Hillcrest.

The 3rds, despite playing probably their worst game of the season, somehow always find a way to come good in the end and scored two very late tries to steal the win.

Toti’s next game is against log leaders Durban Collegians at Collegians Club on Saturday, and the team would love to see all their loyal sponsors and supporters there on the day to witness what promises to be another entertaining game of premier division rugby. Kick-off is scheduled for 3.30pm on KP10.