Try feast puts Kudus on top of the log

Walvis Bay outfit FNB Kudus took over the lead in the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) premier league on Saturday, winning their third consecutive match while keeping Trustco United winless after three rounds.

Kudus stormed to a 45-19 win against the struggling 2019 champions (officially still the defending champions), scoring seven tries to add the maximum six league points for the day.

While the teams were level at 12-12 at halftime, Kudus accelerated during the second forty minutes. Their try scorers were centre Justin Newman, wing Paolo Andrews, flyhalf Kyle Wentzel, number 8 Joshua Jacobs, prop Lorenzo Calaca and the replacements Charlton Brussel and Marin Kotzee.

Wentzel added five conversions as his team overcame a yellow card to their flank and captain Cameron Langenhoven.

United’s scrumhalf Oela Blaauw scored their only try, while flyhalf Chris Arries added four penalties.

Kudus, following earlier home wins against FNB Rehoboth and FNB Unam, are now placed first on 14 points.

WANDERERS BEAT GROOTFONTEIN

FNB Wanderers were behind 17-14 at halftime, but eventually overcame a tough FNB Grootfontein challenge, winning 39-23.

Wing Nandivatu Karuuombe contributed to fullback Warren Ludwig’s first try before going on to score himself.

Later in the second half, scrumhalf and captain Jacques Theron and replacement forward Obert Nortjé scored tries number 3 and 4 for Wanderers, who still has a match in hand and moved up to second spot on the log (11 points).

Flyhalf André van der Berg landed five penalties and was also creative and dangerous with ball in hand.

For Grootfontein, prop Nelius Theron, wing Luis Talaya and hooker and captain Wikus Jacobs scored their tries, while centre Dehan Reynders added the rest from the kicking tee.

UNAM SURVIVES

The University of Namibia struggled, but nevertheless took the winning points against Rehoboth Rugby Club (18-16).

One try by centre Hillian Beukes, three penalties and a conversin by scrumhalf Miguel Busch was enough for home side Rehoboth to take one losing bonus points.

Unam only scored two tries – by fullback AJ Zaahl and wing Rudi Pretorius – alongside one conversion (Pretorius) and two penalties (flyhalf Delron Brandt).

Unam, who finished as log leaders in 2021, are currently in fifth place.

SUBURBS RUN AMOK

Scrumhalf AJ Kearns followed up his hattrick against Trustco United two weekends ago by scoring another two in the 40-11 win against Reho Falcon at Hage Geingob Stadium.

Centre Deveroux Jansen also scored twice, while prop Andreas Shikoneni and replacement back Joran Farmer ran in once each. Flyhalf Bronwin Willemse converted five out of six as Suburbs moved into fourth place.

All the Reho Falcon points came from flyhalf Angus Human, with a try and two penalties.