Jonsson College Rovers ended up as the only unbeaten side in the House of Paint Premier Division competition after round six, which produced some of the most closely contested games of the season thus far. The weekends inclement weather was indeed the leveler at most of the games played with Rovers edging out Acer Durban Collegians 17-16 on their home grounds leaving the 2009 Moor Cup champions holding a three point cushion on top of the log table.

It was Rovers who were celebrating their family day that were perhaps the more disappointed with the weather on the day as they were hoping for a larger crowd but as it turned out that considering the wet windy conditions the turn out wasn’t that bad with supporters and old boys coming out and braving the adverse conditions in support of their respective clubs. What was also greatly appreciated was the fact that the Rovers supporters turned out in pink in support of their first lady Lynn Carolan who was diagnosed with breast cancer recently-but then as they did with former Springbok flanker Rob Louw and his Celebrate Life campaign the rugby fraternity do get behind their own when the chips are down.

The game itself was as to be expected between the two oldest clubs in Durban-a tense enthralling affair with both sides to be given credit for the quality of rugby played in conditions more suited for indoor sports. The game could have gone either way at the end of it all with Rovers points coming from a try by Justin Downey and the boot of Wesley Dunlop. Collegians try came from skipper Rudi Dames with the rest of the points coming from the boot of Quinton Crocker.

It was also a close call out on the Bluff for the home side Airtron Harlequins who picked up their second win of the season scraping home 13-12 against Foton Maritzburg Varsity. The students sadly missed a penalty almost on time, which could have given them the game and will now have to wait a while longer to register their first win. They have been so unlucky this season as they really are an exciting outfit to watch when they are on song.

Envirosan Old Boys also scraped in by the narrowest of margins squeaking home 6-3 against Goss and Balfe Crusaders last Friday evening in the curtain raiser to the Vodacom Super 14 match between the Sharks and the Western Force at Absa Stadium. Two penalties to one tells it all in a game that didn’t really rise to any great heights leaving the spot for third place on the log table between the two clubs in the balance.

In the remaining game Thanda RZA Zululand Rhinos picked up their third win on the trot beating their hosts ChemSpec-DUT Jaguars 29-11and thus leaving the side from Sydenham at the bottom of the log. In the Premier Division Reserve league Rovers have now taken command with a seven point advantage on the log table after beating Collegians 34-15.

There can be no doubt now that after eight years of Rovers dominance in the Under 20 ‘A’ Division a new name will appear on the Frank Norris Trophy after Collegians edged out the 2009 champions 18-17 in yet another game that could have gone either way. On both occasions this season Rovers have outscored the newly crowned champions on the try count but on both occasions Collegians have played the more intelligent rugby. The Rovers coaching team of Kevin Smith, Robin Swanepoel and Michael Dick all agreed that Collegians deserve their moment in the sun and that it’s good for their charges to understand the art of losing after being champions for so long. To the Collegians coaching staff of Sean Erasmis and Graham Furber it was congratulations all round.

With only three rounds left in the competition and with an eight point cushion on the log Collegians can start preparing their trophy cabinet, which has been bare for quite a few seasons now. In the other games ‘Oldies’ beat Crusaders 17-10 Harlequins had the better of Pietermaritzburg beating the side from the capital 17-19 and Empangeni disposed of Jaguars 27-19.

The Collegians Under 20 ‘B’ although surprisingly beaten 22-13 by Rovers can also safely lay claim to the Kings Park Challenge Cup and to coaches John McIntosh and Brandon Hobbs it will be a season to remember for them.

In the First Division Gestetner Maritzburg Collegians are on a roll after beating Wentworth 97-0 while Teichmann Bell Ballito Dolphins got back to their winning ways with a 41-5 win over Pietermaritzburg Elephants. In the other games Hillcrest traveled to Kokstad to beat the home side 24-8 and South Coast Warriors stormed to a 47-10 win over Durban Varsity.