The House of Paint Premier Division competition is becoming more and more intriguing as each week goes by with Acer Durban Collegians also now making their presence felt after their sensational 13-10 win over their long time arch-rivals Envirosan Old Boys at Riverside Tungay Park on Saturday.

Old Boys held onto a 10-6 lead for most of the game but a late try by replacement loose forward Carl Marx almost on time sealed the match for the visitors from the other side of the Umgeni. These derby games are always tense affairs and it was anyone’s game all the way through the proceedings. On the day sadly the normally accurate boot of Wesley Dunlop failed for Old Boys with Flank Damon Wilson scoring their try to go with a conversion and penalty from Dunlop.

Carl Bezuidenhout who took over the kicking duties from Collegians skipper Rudi Dames, who had earlier left the field of play with what appeared to be a bad knee injury, converted Marx’s try and kicked two penalties.

House of Paint College Rovers made heavy weather of their 27-8 win over their visitors from Sydenham, ChemSpec Jaguars, after only leading 10-3 at the interval. Rovers once again seemed to be their own worst enemies only finishing off the victory at the death eventually scoring five tries to one - but it just wasn’t that convincing and should they want to retain the silverware they will have to certainly step up a gear to ensure that their name is engraved on the priceless Moor Cup yet again.

Rovers' tries came from Braden Ferreira who crossed for two with the others going to Wesley Bodmer, Matt de Beer and Mark Els. Dauw Steyn slotted the lone conversion.

Jonsson Crusaders raced to a 57-6 win over Maritzburg Varsity at Ranleigh Crescent in Durban North and Thanda Zululand Rhinos edged out Durban Harlequins Airtron Coastal 21-16 at Mick Kelley Park in Empangeni leaving the log still delicately poised and the league set for some high drama in the weeks ahead with Rovers now leading the way with a five point cushion at the top of the table.

In the Under 20 ‘A’ Division Durban Collegians have come strongly back into the mix after beating Old Boys 16-12 but still have to go some way to catch Rovers who hammered Jaguars 50-0. In the other games Midlands accounted for Crusaders 26-6 and Empangeni beat Harlequins 22-13.

Amanzimtoti look destined to take top honours in the South Section of the First Division after the South Coast Terriers beat a vastly improved Ballito Dolphins line up now being helped out by former Springbok, Sharks and Western Province flank AJ Venter. How great it is to see these former international and provincial players putting something back into the game - well done AJ.

In the other games Hillcrest beat Maritzburg Warratahs 55-5 and Gestetner Maritzburg Collegians beat Kokstad at Elliott Park in the East Griqualand town.

- Jos Robson - The Mercury