Unam rallies to comeback win

Former champions and 2022 beaten finalists FNB Unam displayed their institutionalised big-match temperament in responding to huge early pressure from hosts FNB Grootfontein on Saturday.

The student team took more than half an hour to get on the scoreboard while Grootfontein had taken a 12-0 lead, but their opportunism and accelerated late tempo earned them a convincing 44-17 win in the Namibia Rugby Union’s Premier League.

Tries by scrumhalf Christopher Deck and centre Buruxa Geiseb, the first converted by fullback Ronnie Deck, got Grootfontein off to a flying start.

Unam were destroyed in every scrum by the bulky 920-plus kg Grootfontein starting pack, but the Windhoek side’s skill, tactical game management and experience at moving the ball to the wider channels systematically drained the northern side’s energy levels.

Unam scrumhalf AJ Kearns put them on the board after 36 minutes with a try from close range. Just before half-time, a vital stolen turn over from multiple Grootfontein phases led to rightwing speedster Shareave Titus racing away from within his own half to land a body blow with a diving try in the corner. Raschano van Rooi (flyhalf) landed the two conversions, and Unam led 14-12 at half-time.

The iron-willed Grootfontein struck next, working rightwing Luis Talaya over for an unconverted try, but a Van Rooi penalty levelled matters at 17-17.

Systematic phases and support play created the next three tries for Unam’s veteran flank Berry Gande as they opened up a 39-17 margin (with two Van Rooi conversions), before replacement wing Hatago Nunuhe once again punished Grootfontein with a run-away intercept try from his own goal line.

With this result, Unam (14 points) overtook Grootfontein (10) to now be sixth out of eight teams.

Wanderers go top

At Rehoboth, title holders FNB Wanderers completed the first round of the season in first position as they took maximum points from their game in hand and overtook FNB Kudus.

Wanderers beat FNB Reho Falcon 45-20 after leading just 12-6 after 40 minutes. The reigning champions’ seven tries were scored by centres Niel Holtzhausen (2) and Bredell Wessels, scrumhalf Danie van der Merwe, loose-forwards Innocent Kakumai and Driaan Vorster, and replacement wing Nico Maartens. Conversions were added by Jacques Theron (playing flyhalf, four), DJ Holtzhausen (fullback, one), and replacement Ethan Koopman (1).

Falcon responded with tries by centre Liam Parker and replacement Corbin Benade. Fullback Enrique Husselman kicked two conversions and two penalties.

Wanderers (six wins and a draw) are on 31 points, two ahead of Kudus (five wins and a draw).

United succeed

Trustco United added four points from their tense 21-15 win against FNB Western Suburbs in Khomasdal.

Just two tries by the brothers Jahno du Plessis (scrumhalf) and Eloff du Plessis (Nr. 8 and captain), along with three penalties and a conversion by Nr. 15 Renier Benade, were enough for the Olympia team to emerge victorious. The Philistines survived a yellow card to JD Nel (centre) in a tight match, which maintained their third place (28) in the three-horse race at the top.

Suburbs’ point scorers were Dumarcho Hartung (wing, try) and Bronwon Willemse (scrum-half, try, conversion, penalty).

FNB Rehoboth (17) and Suburbs (16) lead the chasing pack of Unam (14), Grootfontein (10), and Falcon (9).