House of Paint College Rovers pulled off what surely has to be one of the biggest comeback stories in the of history KZNRU club rugby - well certainly in the last decade or two as they fought their way back in the most remarkable 15 minutes of rugby to eek out a 24-23 victory over Envirosan Old Boys in the curtain-raiser to the Super 14 clash between the Bulls and Sharks at The Absa Stadium Durban on Saturday afternoon.

The 2009 season becomes more intriguing with every passing weekend and as it approaches the halfway mark, Rovers have slipped into top spot on the House of Paint Premier Division league log table. After trailing 23-6 well into the second half of their all important encounter against the high flying Old Boys side, who up until this point were the only unbeaten side in the competition, they came back strongly to score 18 points in the last quarter to seal the game and one could understand what a gut-wrenching feeling it must have been for the most ardent of ‘Oldies’ supporters let alone their players.

One youngster can take a bow and he is the 19 year old Rovers flyhalf Guy Cronje who scored 19 of his team’s points in a superb display of halfback play. He not only scored the try that changed the course of the game but kicked the spectacular match winning drop goal close from the touch line. He also saved two certain tries stopping Old Boys flying flanker Brian Shabango and then later centre Ian Adendorff with two great match winning tackles.

Neil Cole who replaced Sandile Nxumalo at scrumhalf in the second half scored the remaining points for Rovers crossing for the other try. For Old Boys Wesley Dunlop also a young blood with exceptional talent scored 18 of his sides points with a masterful display with the boot while speedster Lwazi Mvovo crossed for their only try. From an Old Boys perspective what possibly cost them the game was losing skipper prop Dave Hawksworth to a yellow card but more importantly by not bringing on fresh legs left them looking decidedly flat especially in the last five minutes when it counted most.

Acer Durban Collegians who had also come back from the dead in their opening encounter against ‘Oldies’ to draw 24-24 in the opening round of the competition kept their cup hopes on track with a 20-7 win over Durban Harlequins Airtron Coastal. In the other two games Maritzburg Varsity picked up their first win of the season when they edged out ChemSpec Jaguars 26-22 in Sydenham while Jonsson Crusaders picked up a good away win in Empangeni beating Thanda Zululand Rhinos at Mick Kelley Park.

In the Under 20 ‘A’ Frank Norris Cup competition, Rovers remained the only unbeaten side in the league beating Old Boys 13-6 with Roscoe ‘Ferrari’ Speckman crossing for the only try of the game making it 12 in six games. Patrick Lambie converted the try and added two penalties to become the top point’s scorer in the competition.

In the other games Durban Collegians are back on track and look set to now give chase in earnest after hammering Harlequins 37-10 while Midlands accounted for Jaguars 22-8 and Empangeni thumped Crusaders 48-7.

In the Fist Division South Section, Amanzimtoti who had a bye last weekend still remain the only unbeaten side while Hillcrest who had a good away win beating South Coast Warriors 23-9 in Port Shepstone remain close on their heels as the competition heats up. Gestetner Maritzburg Collegians beat Maritzburg Waratahs 22-16 in their derby match at Woodburn while Ballito Dolphins squeaked home 23-20 against Durban Varsity up the North Coast.

In the North Section, Volksrust destroyed Sentraal from Dundee 55-12 while Piet Retief scraped home 24-20 against the Highlanders in Newcastle. Newcomers to First Division, Utrecht and Pongola picked up useful wins beating Ladysmith 2nd 24-12 and Vryheid 2nd 26-15 respectively. In the Third Division Walker Cup Rovers remain the only unbeaten side and look to be on track to retain the silverware although it’s still some way to go yet.

- Jos Robson - The Mercury