Marauding firsts advance to Murray Cup quarter finals
Toti, however, would have none of that and raced into an early 14-0 lead with the forwards once again in destructive mood.
TOTI Rugby Club’s first team advanced to the quarter finals of the Castle Lager Murray Cup after seeing off Vryheid 60-25 in the first round on Saturday.
With Toti not having beaten their Northern Natal hosts in recent seasons, coupled with the fact that Vryheid are always a tough nut to crack on their home turf, as well as a five-hour bus trip to add to their difficulties, many may have been forgiven for thinking that this was an upset waiting to happen.
Toti, however, would have none of that and raced into an early 14-0 lead with the forwards once again in destructive mood. The game ebbed and flowed with Vryheid scoring two tries of their own, mostly due to uncharacteristic lapses in concentration on defense on the part of the visitors. However, every time Vryheid looked like getting themselves back into the game, Toti would simply up the tempo a gear or two to keep control of the game. The half time score of 29-20 might suggest the game was destined to be a close one, but, after some stern words from the coaching staff at the break, Toti set about their second half task with renewed vigour, allowing Vryheid to add only five points to their tally while adding a further 31 of their own.
The much-vaunted Vryheid pack were no match for the marauding Toti forwards who weighed in with six of the nine tries scored, with lock Pieter Harmse scoring four of the best on his own and flanker Jonno Dippenaar adding the other two. This forward dominance allowed the back division a bit more freedom of movement, and some well worked tries were scored by winger Tyrone Brand, flyhalf Wimpie Pretorius and RD Janse van Vuuren. Pretorius and fullback Jaco de Jager added the balance of the points via the boot.
Harmse was voted as the Castle Lager man of the match for his four-try effort.
What is encouraging to note is the fact that the 60 points that Toti scored was the highest in the first round of fixtures, and this against notoriously tricky opponents. Newly crowned Moor Cup champions Durban Collegians were next best with the 57 points that they put past Harlequins.
Toti will contest the quarter-final against UKZN Impi at Hutchison Park on Saturday, in what promises to be an entertaining fixture. Plenty of the sponsor’s golden brew, as well as after-match entertainment will be on offer and the team would love to have a big crowd down at the club to support them as they push to reach the semi-finals of the Castle Lager Murray Cup for the first time in the club’s history.
Toti second XV kick off at 1.30pm and the main game is scheduled to kick off at 3pm. See you all at the ball game.
