Africa-Press – Namibia. GROOTFONTEIN narrowly missed out on a semifinal spot in the Namibian Rugby Premier League, despite beating Kudus 46-22 on their home turf in Grootfontein on Saturday.
Grootfontein, who led 29-12 at half time, ran in a total of eight tries to collect maximum bonus points, and finish on 24 points, but it was not enough as they missed out by a single point.
Unam finished on top of the log on 31 points after a hard fought 36-29 victory at home to Western Suburbs. Wanderers finished second on 27 points after beating United 33-15 on their home ground in Pioniers Park.
Suburbs, meanwhile, gained two crucial bonus points, which saw them finishing on 26 points and third overall on the log. The final semifinal spot was taken by Rehoboth, who finished on 25 points after beating Reho Falcon 34-24 in Rehoboth.
They were followed by Grootfontein on 24, Kudus on 10, Reho Falcon on 8 and United on 5 points. At the Unam field the home side beat Suburbs in a thrilling try fest that went down to the wire.
Unam took the lead after early pressure through a converted try by centre Camlo Martin, but Suburbs were soon level at 7-7 after a great counter-attack by right wing Dumarcho Hartung from within his own half.
Delron Brandt soon restored Unam’s lead after following up a chip ahead by JC Winckler, but Suburbs bashed away at Unam’s line and once again drew level when flanker Rowen Jansen went over from a forward maul.
Unam regained the lead after flanker Gilad Plaatjies bashed over from a maul, but Suburbs once again struck back after furious attacks when Deveroux Jansen went over in the corner, and with Nel adding a great conversion from the touchline, the teams were dead level at 21-all at the half time break.
Suburbs took the lead for the first time through a Nel penalty early in the second half, but it didn’t last long as replacement back Sunday Haitembu went over in the corner after a quick backline attack and with Brandt adding a fine conversion, Unam went 28-24 ahead.
Suburbs immediately struck back from the kickoff with a try by Gino Wilson to go 29-28 ahead, but Unam camped on Suburbs’ try-line before scrum half JC Winckler nipped over for a try to retake the lead at 33-29. This time Suburbs could not respond and Brandt sealed Unam’s victory with a penalty in the dying minutes of the game.
Wanderers booked their semifinal spot after beating traditional rivals United 33-15 at the Wanderers field. Wanderers, who led 12-10 at half time, scored five tries through eighthman and captain Christo van der Merwe (two), fullback Warren Ludwig, and substitutes JC Rossouw and Jan Meyer, while the latter and Ethan Beukes each added two conversions.
United scored two tries through fly half Hannes van Zyl and substitute Venoumba Kanguatjivi, while scrum half Riaan van Zyl added a penalty and a conversion. Rehoboth beat Reho Falcon 34-24 in the Rehoboth derby to book the final semifinals spot.
Rehoboth scored five tries through eighthman Cameron McNab (two), scrum half Samile Loubser, centre Helian Beukes and fullback Jeandre Loubser, while centre Henrique Olivier added three conversions and a penalty. Reho Falcon’s points were not available.
