Amanzimtoti Rugby Club wins Junior Murray Cup final
It was a hard-fought win for Amanzimtoti Rugby Club's first team as they faced tough opposition in the Junior Murray Cup finals.
AMANZIMTOTI Rugby Club’s first-team were crowned champions after defeating Sentraal Rugby Club in the final of the Junior Murray Cup on August 17.
The club’s coach and scribe, Owen Masinga, said eight months of rugby have passed, and the scoreboard tells a tale of triumph and tribulation.
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“Twelve games, four losses and eight wins – for most clubs, this would be an acceptable haul but not Toti. They are a club with loftier ambitions, a team driven by an insatiable hunger for silverware,” he said.
The Junior Murray Cup provided the perfect platform for their assault on glory. Masinga said, “Haunted by doubt but fuelled by determination, they launched their campaign. First, they dispatched the physicality of Kokstad, winning 36–20. Next came Hillcrest, the current league champions. The odds were stacked against Toti, who had not beaten their rivals since their return to the league. But, this time, coach Jason Hines’ troops defied the naysayers, securing a narrow 27–26 triumph. The final hurdle was Sentraal Rugby Club, an unknown entity standing in the way of Toti’s destiny.”
He said the game started at a frenetic pace with Sentraal looking to land the first blow with their rapid play and powerful carries.
“They struck first, but Toti was not to be denied. The introduction of the dynamic Linda Shezi sparked an immediate response as the substitute barrelled over the line and made a searing break. His involvement was then cut short by a season-ending injury, but Toti refused to be deterred. The signature running of Mike Gibbley and the aggressive yet composed play of Mike Uppink sparked the onslaught. Calvin Machedo’s direction of the backline left Sentraal reeling. A motivated Dylan Kelly also stole two crucial balls and contributed with powerful carries,” said Masinga, adding that Toti managed to seal a 23–19 victory and the title.
Masinga congratulated the coach and team, who now stand as genuine league contenders for the season ahead.
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