Bolstered by the return of striker Tom Jackson and Bradley Scott, plus Steve Fleming vocally advising on the touchline, Caversham started well, with typical twisting runs by Ant Hancock troubling the Roslyn defence.
It was an aggressive run by Hancock, sailing through the air and attacking a left-wing cross, that had Roslyn keeper Peter Evans swiping the wee striker in the face, and referee Richard Roberts awarding a 15th-minute penalty which Seamus Ryder converted.
Roslyn responded in style. Cam Attwood and Mepham started to boss midfield, Chris Fernando and James Watson were solid in defence, and Fraser Cameron and Damian Foster harried the Caversham defence, with Tom Connor joining in on wide runs.
Caversham's normal sharp passing game was less effective, and while Jackson will clearly settle in as a useful addition, there were too many long balls launched from defence, and many of them went astray.
Fraser equalised from the penalty spot, and Roslyn should have gone a couple of goals ahead as Foster shots skiffed Caversham's woodwork and hard-working defender Craig Ferguson produced a couple of fine blocks.
Roslyn captain Mepham had been tackling and winning ball all day and, in the 81st minute, he found space, got his head up and laced in the winner, with keeper Liam Little a spectator.
University become another co-leader by beating Green Island 3-2 at Sunnyvale, as coach Craig Doble's team dropped its fifth point in two matches.
Varsity coach Luiz Uehara has blended mental toughness into what was always a talented side, and while winger Ifeanyi Unamadu dazzled and scored, Peter Rae's pace and sharpness also earned two goals to take his season's total to six.
The Island goals came from Joel Stevens and the equally hard-running Nathan Gunn.
In a score that reflected both teams' strengths and weaknesses, Northern and Grants Braes produced nine goals, with Northern claiming a 5-4 win.
Angus Milne led the Northern attack with height, pace and power, scoring two goals, with Norbert Dreyer (two) and Cam Higgins also on the board.
For so long a backs-to-the-wall team, Grants Braes now attacks with purpose, and it was competitive through goals from Raphael Schwendele, Taylor Quirk, Blake Kist and an own goal.
Alistair Rickerby's second hat trick of the season spearheaded Dunedin Technical to a 5-1 win over Queenstown, and made the striker top scorer in the FPL. Technical's other goals came from Andrew Douglas and Victor da Costa. Renan Almeida scored for Queenstown.
There was no joy in Mosgiel's away trip to Invercargill, where Old Boys won 3-2. The Plainsmen are struggling with just a single win this season.
Old Boys raced to a 3-0 lead before Tim Dunn scored and Regan Coldicott converted a penalty. Mosgiel kept hopes alive by saving an Old Boys penalty.
Former Otago United player Barry Gardiner was influential for Old Boys and got on the scoresheet along with Scots import Robbie Goodwillie and youngster Jack Bolland.
