Bullish Wanderers finish on top

Two intriguing semi-finals have been booked for 20 August, following Saturday’s 14th and final round of matches in the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) premier league.

FNB Wanderers ensured that they will host a home semi-final next weekend when they beat Trustco United 54-26 on Saturday and scored eight tries to hold the finish in the top spot.

Wanderers will contest for a place in the final (to be played on 3 September) against fourth-placed FNB Rehoboth, while the ambitious coastal side FNB Kudu will have home advantage against FNB University of Namibia (Unam).

Captain and number eight Christo van der Merwe led from the front against rivals United on Saturday, creating the first try for flank Driaan Vorster after barely a minute, before going over to score the next one himself.

Fly half André van der Berg converted both to put Wanderers ahead 14-0.

Determined driving play

Through determined driving play by the United forwards, they worked hooker Gerhard Thirion over for an unconverted try, but Wanderers responded with a counter-attack off a kick from which centre Bernie Hugo went over in the left corner (19-5).

Van der Merwe burst over for his second from behind a scrum feed on the United goal line, for Van der Berg to convert. The visitors pulled one back with the last play of the first half, as a well-placed kick forced a Wanderers mistake and an opportunity to attack from a lineout, where scrumhalf Pieter van Vuuren, captaining the side in his last match before retiring, scored a try converted by Oela Blaauw.

United’s attempt at a recovery was spoiled when JC Greyling scored an intercept try which Van der Berg converted (33-12).

Horrid clash

A horrid clash of heads between midfielders Bernie Hugo and JD Nel left both men injured, with Hugo also punished with a red card. From the ensuing pressure, United worked replacement lock Thomas Kali over for a try, which Blaauw converted.

In the final minutes, however, the Wanderers bench player contributed to add tries by Vorster, JC Greyling and Le Beau du Preez, while United worked centre Christo Gresse over for a consolation try.

Jurie Loots (United wing, tackle in the air) and Jacques Theron (Wanderers scrumhalf, backchat) were sent off for time in the bin by referee Oscar Lambert.

At Rehoboth

FNB Rehoboth Rugby Club were dominant against neighbours FNB Reho Falcon as they ran out 55-18 winners.

The Rehoboth try-scorers were wing Elmarco Beukes, centre Keathan Freygang, fly half Geraldo Beukes as well as his replacement Cliven Loubser, number eight Charl Freygang (two), flank Chase Diergaardt and hooker Delano Coetzee. Conversions were added by Geraldo Beukes, Xauvier van Wyk, Gurtley Beukes and Loubser (two).

The Rooi Bulle celebrated as both their first and second teams qualified for the semi-finals of their respective leagues.

At Unam

FNB Unam were polished enough to withstand already-eliminated travellers FNB Grootfontein by a 48-8 margin on Saturday.

Supporters at the Unam Stadium saw their team rack up eight tries, scored by full back Lorenzo Louis (two), centre Johnny Mwenyo (two), wing Shareave Titus, number eight Oderich Mouton, flank and captain Prince !Gaoseb and lock Conwill Draghoender. Right wing Aljarreau Zaahl kicked over four conversions.