ChemSpec Jaguars pulled off yet another surprise upset beating Jonsson Crusaders 27-21 in an exciting closely-contested House of Paint Premier Division clash at their Capel Road home grounds on Friday evening. The Sydenham based club trailed 16-14 at the break but pulled off a magnificent second half match-winning revival performance against their more fancied visitors from Durban North to take home the honours.

This year’s Premier Division competition is undoubtedly going to go down to the wire with 2008 Moor Cup Champions College Rovers in a titanic struggle with Envirosan Old Boys and Acer Durban Collegians with a mere three log points separating the three top sides. ‘Saders’ having lost two crucial games against the so-called minnows of the competition have now slipped back quite considerably and will need to gather some composure and hope that the front runners also suffer the same fate that they have.

As it is Oldies went on the rampage out on the Bluff on Friday evening thrashing Durban Harlequins Airtron Coastal 76-19 with wing Lwazi Mvovo and flyhalf Colin Mbongwa crossing for two tries each, leaving Mvovo now the top try scorer in the league. Lock Nikolai Blignaut and loose head prop Dylan Rutherford were outstanding in the tight exchanges with flankers Brian Shabangu and Damian Wilson causing havoc in the loose. Among the backs, centre Ian Adendorff had one of his better games of the season.

In the other games wing Carl Bezuidenhout was outstanding for Durban Collegians in their good 33-15 away win against Thanda Zululand Rhinos at Mick Kelley Park in Empangeni while House of Paint College Rovers hammered Maritzburg Varsity 73-3 at Washington Road in the capital leaving the league delicately poised in what looks destined to be one of the most exciting finishes of the Moor Cup competition in quite a number of years as the clubs head home into the final straight.

Rovers still hold the aces in the Premier Reserve Division and look destined to have their name engraved on the Wylie Cup once again. Crusaders are still hot on their heels and perhaps there could still be a few upsets yet in their competition - time will tell.

In the Frank Norris Under 20 ‘A’ Division, Rovers beat Midlands 40-5 with Roy Godfrey outstanding on the night crossing for three of their six tries. Kelvin Adam also crossed the line twice while Wes Flanagan got the other touch down. Nic Pearson kicked five conversions. Rovers now have quite a substantial lead over their closest rivals.

In the other games Empangeni raised a few eyebrows surprising their visitors Durban Collegians with a 33-15 victory, while Crusaders edged out Jaguars 27-20 and Old Boys beat Harlequins 35-23.

In the Under 20 ‘B’ Division Rovers lead the way but still need to make sure of their winning ways should they want to secure the silverware while their ‘C’ side look to be the favourites to win their league and take home the KZNRU Cup.

Amanzimtoti are on track for top honours in the First Division South Section competition after hammering Durban Varsity 55-0. Hillcrest lying in second spot beat Gestetner Maritzburg Collegians 29-17 and South Coast Warriors accounted for Ballito Dolphins 45-5.

Vryheid are on top of the First Division North Section log table and there can be no doubt the overall winner of the league will be decided in the play-off between the South Coast Terriers from Toti and the top dogs from the Lammergeyer.

- Jos Robson - The Mercury