Finalists of 2023 both beaten early

Another topsyturvy season could be predicted in the Namibia Rugby Union premier league, after 2023 champions Trustco United and runner-up FNB Wanderers were both handed losses in away matches during the opening weekend.

Instead, it was FNB Rehoboth who took the early initiative with their double-bonus-point 50-10 win against newcomers Simonis Storm Dolphin.

Boet Matthews reports from the Rehoboth High School field that the Red Bulls held a convincing 33-10 lead at halftime, before keeping the visitors scoreless during the second half.

On a hot afternoon, Rehoboth displayed its arsenal both among forwards and backs on their way to overpowering their opponents by eight tries to one.

Rehoboth fullback William Klazen scored the first within three minutes, before prop Carl-William Freygang barged over with brute force and flyhalf Ascher Coetzee dived over for their third.

Dolphin found their feet with a penalty by fly-half Rewaldo Diergaardt, who then also scored a try which right wing Ronaldo Brittze converted.

The 19-10 margin was however as good as it got for Dolphin, as Rehoboth worked right wing Dolano Vries over for William Klazen to land the tough touchline conversion (26-10).

Hooker Jeandre Cloete went over for another converted try to put matters at 33-10 halftime.

Rehoboth’s new team captain, centre Hillian Beukes, neatly rounded off a planned backline move, with scrumhalf Miquel Busch then taking over the kicking duties.

In the final minutes, Dolano Vries and replacement back Shaquille January scored Rehoboth’s tries number seven and eight, of which Klazen (4) and Busch (1) succeeded with conversions to put the fifty on the board.





FALCON ENFORCES KUDUS FIGHTBACK

In an enthralling display of skill and determination, FNB Kudus emerged triumphant 40-32 over FNB Reho Falcon in an exciting opening weekend clash in the Namibia Rugby Union premier league, that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

In front of the Jan Wilken Stadium faithful in Walvis Bay, Kudus had to showcase some resilience as they endured a stunning comeback from their opponents before securing a hard-fought win.

Kudus outside centre Justin Newman scored the opening try in the first five minutes. Left wing Luciano Izaaks followed shortly after with a try, successfully converted by Aurelio Plato, before flank Jarreth Koning sealed the first half with a try that with Plato’s conversion put Kudus apparently in firm control at 19-6 at halftime.

Kudus asserted dominance, set the pace and dictated terms in the first half with swift passing and calculated moves that left Falcon scrambling to keep up.

The visitors collected their first points with two penalties awarded for high tackles by Kudus. Falcon fullback Enrique Husselmann duly took the six points.

However, the halftime break proved to be a turning point as Reho Falcon effectively regrouped and launched a spirited revival.

Flank Keynnen Basson scored their first try which Husselmann converted, before Falcon right wing Brandon Besser came through with two tries. Left wing Shaun Mouton scored the next try, converted by centre Franklin Busch, which put Falcon in front 32-26 with time running out.

Coach Frank Isaacs’ Falcon appeared on its way to secure a shock victory as they led by six points with roughly ten minutes left on the clock.

In a testament to their resilience, Kudus refused to concede defeat. Outside centre Justin Newman, his inside partner PJ Walters and replacement hooker Jarren Koning scored comeback tries for Kudus, two of which were successfully converted by Scott Winborn, the replacement flyhalf.

After a thrilling period of extra time, Kudus emerged as deserving victors, their 40-32 triumph a testament to their skill and determination. While Falcon earned praise and respect for a valiant fightback with one losing bonus point, it was Kudus who took five log points in a memorable performance to kick off their 2024 season.

Head coach Gawan Esterhuizen will be concerned by the fact that three props spent time in the bin, namely the starters Anthony Hoebeb and Lorenco Calaca as well as replacement Craig Swartz.

Referee Ngatatue Mate did even out the count, with yellow cards to Falcon’s flank Keynnen Basson, flyhalf Brian Bayer and replacement Jerome Schumann.



GROOTFONTEIN BEAT UNITED

FNB Grootfontein and Trustco United each scored four tries before the northern team secured a narrow 28-26 win at home, after leading 20-12 at halftime.

Grootfontein hooker and captain Wikus Jacobs scored twice, number eight Johan Luttig once and left wing Lasarus Joseph once, while fullback AJ Vercuil’s two penalties and one conversion was enough for the slight winning margin.

United hooker Callie Swanepoel, who previously plaayed for Grootfontein, scored a try for the visitors along with centres Jandre Esterhuizen and captain JD Nel, and scrumhalf Jahno du Plessis. The latter got the only yellow card of the match.



WANDERERS FALLS AT UNAM

FNB Unam looks ready for a more stable early campaign than last year’s fifth-place finish, after their 30-17 home win against FNB Wanderers, their first against this opposition in almost two years.

Jacques Theron, at flyhalf for Wanderers, ran a clever line behind both his centres as dummy runners to score first near the posts, but fullback Geraldo Beukes could not convert.

Unam however gradually took control, creating chances with their backline where captain and inside centre Alcino Izaacs was the playmaker for tries by his midfield partner Kieron Diergaardt and right wing Shareave Titus, before left wing Quirione Majiedt added their fourth.

Two penalties and two conversions by flyhalf Raschano van Rooi stretched the lead to 30-5, before Wanderers could finally add two more tries by left wing Tolly Tjipute and then Obert Nortje (flank) off a maul.

• Log standings, results, fixtures and news at www.fnbrugby.my.na