Wanderers, Kudus tied at the top

A hectic fight for every log point concluded with four action-packed matches in the Namibia Rugby Union’s premier league on Saturday.

FNB Wanderers, the only unbeaten team and reigning champion, made a successful short trip to FNB Unam, winning the fourth of its last five clashes against the student team 42-36.

Amid some ridiculous errors and heavily penalised by referee Zaid Isaacs, Unam found themselves staring down a halftime deficit of 27-12, after Wanderers had already secured its four-try bonus point.

However, the Unam fightback in the second half was reminiscent of the club’s glory years and bodes well for the growth and prospects of new coach Russel van Rooi’s young squad.

With both sides still disrupted by injuries and national call-ups, Unam suddenly led 31-27 before Wanderers found their second wind to secure the win.

Wanderers try scorers were wings Nandivatu Karuuombe and Armand Kotze, hooker Franko Pearson, centre Danie van der Merwe (2) and full-back Johan Zaayman. Fly-half Eugene Jantjies landed three conversions and two conversions.

Unam secured two points by losing with a margin of less than seven and also scoring at least four tries. Tries were scored by wings Hatago Nunuhe and Shareave Titus, centre Johnny Mwenyo, fly-half Raschano van Rooi and loose forwards Roaldo Rittmann and Rowan Jansen, with Van Rooi’s three conversions earning him 11 points on the day.

The result leaves Unam’s fifth spot unchanged, but they are still strongly in contention for the semi-final round.

Suburbs win thriller

In Khomasdal, FNB Western Suburbs needed a late try to earn a narrow 27-25 win in a fiery clash against race rivals FNB Rehoboth.

The winning try after 76 minutes by Suburbs captain and full-back Gino Wilson came as he took a quick tap from a penalty near the Rehoboth 10-metre line, as he accelerated through the defence to score under the poles for his second try of the match. Suburbs’ other try was scored by nr. 8 Richard Mupewa.

Scrumhalf Bronwon Willemse kicked two conversions and two penalties and fly-half Justin Nel one conversion.

For Rehoboth, fly-half Henrique Olivier starred with five penalties, while wing Dolano Vries and replacement forward Charl Freygang scored tries.

Suburbs (fourth on 25) now hold a 5-point lead over sixth-placed contender Rehoboth.

Falcon put up resistance

At the Dr Lemmer school field, FNB Reho Falcon showed how far they have come since their big losses in the opening rounds, when they held log leaders FNB Kudus to just a 27-25 winning margin.

Kudus, without three backline stars on national duty, failed to earn a four-try bonus point, restricted to five-pointers by centre Justin newman, wing Irongwa Atshivudhi and replacement forward Henri Rossouw. Two penalties each by fly-half Geraldo Beukes and centre Aurelio Plato were ultimately vital to the win.

For Falcon, flank Keynnen Basson and backline replacement Daniel Bezuidenhout each added a try to fullback Enrique Husselmann’s tally of a try, two conversions and two penalties.

Kudus (38) points are now tied at the top with Wanderers (38), holding onto its first placing due to more tries scored (44 to 35) as well as a better points difference (164 to 95).

Big win for United

Struggling travellers FNB Grootfontein showed determination that was ultimately futile in Olympia, as Trustco United consolidated their third position with a 42-10 win.

Captain and flank Eloff du Plessis and tighthead prop Hanno Husselman each scored twice for the Philistines, with fly-half Hanreco van Zyl and reserve scrumhalf Llevellyn Koopman also crossing the try line. Renier Benade (full-back) was accurate with three conversions and two penalties, as yellow card to hooker Gerhard Thirion and centre JD Nel were not enough to stop their momentum for their sixth win.

Grootfontein replied with a try by prop Henning Joubert, and a conversion and penalty by Ronald Deck.