Africa-Press – Namibia. FNB Kudus, FNB Wanderers and FNB Unam all recorded comprehensive victories in the Namibian Rugby Premier League on Saturday, while Rehoboth improved their chances of making the playoffs, after a great comeback win against FNB Grootfontein.
At the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek, Wanderers brushed aside FNB Western Suburbs’ challenge as they ran in eight tries in a 52-19 victory.
Suburbs initially provided stiff resistance, but lapses in concentration saw Wanderers pulling away to a 26-7 lead at half time, before completing a resounding win.
Suburbs’ forwards held their own in the set-pieces, but Wanderers’ backs had a field day with Andre van der Berg providing a quick service to his backline, while Nandi Karuuombe and Denzo Bruwer launched several incisive counter-attacks.
For Wanderers, Driaan Vorster and Obert Nortje each scored two tries, while Karuuombe, Bruwer, Ryan Coetzee and Nico Maartens scored one each. Van der Berg added 10 conversions and Bruwer one.
Suburbs scored three tries through Vernon Diergaardt, Gino Wilson and Chemigan Beukes, while Ricardo Swartz added two conversions.
Wanderers received maximum bonus points for the win which sees them remaining second on the log, just one point behind Kudus.
After the match, Wanderers captain Christo van der Merwe praised his players on a fine performance.
“Well done to Suburbs, they put in a great effort and kept us on our toes till the end, but obviously credit to our boys for sticking it out and showing some guts,” he said.
“Unfortunately we conceded too many penalties again, but that’s something we will work on to the end of the season. But it was a massive effort from the boys and we’ll enjoy the victory,” he added.
Suburbs’ defeat, meanwhile, jeopardised their chances of reaching the playoffs, as they remain fourth on the log on 34 points, just two points ahead of Rehoboth who pulled off a remarkable 42-41 victory away to Grootfontein.
Grootfontein seemed to be heading for a comfortable win when they streaked into a 34-7 lead late in the first half, but Rehoboth pulled off a stunning comeback to take a 42-34 lead midway through the second half.
Grootfontein struck back with a late converted try to reduce the gap to 42-41, but Rehoboth managed to hold on for a great win.
According to Rehoboth team manager Marcelle Diergaardt, the introduction of their national flyhalf Cliven Loubser after the break played a major role in their success.
“Cliven came on as a replacement 10 minutes into the second half and swung the game our way with his superb all-round play. Grootfontein are a very good side and to make such a comeback shows the great character of our team,” he said.
Rehoboth scored six tries through Elmardo Beukes (two), Chase Diergaardt (two), Dilhin Daries and Miguel Busch, while Geraldo Beukes added two conversions, Chase Diergaardt one, and Ascher Coetzee three conversions.
Grootfontein outscored Rehoboth with seven tries, but they will rue their poor place kicking as they could only convert three of them.
Romanzo Lento (two), Ian Malan, Buruxa Geiseb, Johan Luttig, Tehan Martinson and Wicus Jacobs scored their tries.
Kudus, meanwhile, remained at the top of the log on 51 points with a 52-30 victory against Reho Falcon at Rehoboth.
Kudus scored eight tries through Justin Newman (two), Peter Walters (two), Charlton Brussel, Clayton Camm, Codey Naholo and Jarren Koning, while Aurelio Plato added four conversions, Chad Plato two and Percy Nash two.
Falcons scored three tries through Dylan Kahman, Liam Parker and Enrique Husselmann, who converted all three and added three penalties for a personal tally of 20 points.
At Trustco United Park, Unam beat United 54-10 to remain third on the log on 42 points.
Right wing Darryl Wellman scored four tries, left wing Shareave Titus three, and eighthman Oderich Mouton one, while Lorenzo Louis added seven conversions.
United scored two tries through Eloff du Plessis and Thomas Kali.
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