TOTI Rugby Club 1st team got their defence of the Castle Murray Cup off to a good start by beating Richards Bay Spartans in Richards Bay on Saturday afternoon.
Although the final score of 55-23 might suggest a reasonably tough encounter, Toti controlled all facets of play, never allowing their opponents to gather any momentum.
Richards Bay did manage to cross the whitewash three times during the course of the match, but, with Toti in a dominant mood, this was never going to be enough to upset the title holders as they ran in nine tries of their own with Thinus Volker, Brad Lange, Kevin Buck, Wesley van den Heever, Michael Uppink, Jose Rodrigues and Marcel Els all crossing for a try each. Louis Joubert added to that try tally with two tries of his own.
Jose Rodrigues was successful with two conversions and Jaco de Jager three.
The Castle man of the match award, which was decided on by the officials in attendance, went to nunber 8, Michael Uppink while the Spur men of the match awards went to Kevin Buck in the forwards, and Louis Joubert in the backs.
Toti now moves on to face Fidelity Security Moor Cup champions, SA Home Loans Durban Collegians in the quarter finals, to be played on Collegians’ home ground on Friday evening. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm, and the team would like to see as many supporters possible make the trip into Durban to support them.
