Reho Falcon, Suburbs score for the underdogs

FNB Reho Falcon and FNB Western Suburbs both delivered shock upsets to properly stir things up at the conclusion of the first round of the Namibia Rugby Union premier league.

FNB Unam were unbeaten front-runners until Saturday’s match eight, but their 17-21 loss at Reho Falcon opened the door for the students to be overtaken by FNB Wanderers to be in the top spot for the first time this season.

FNB Kudus held on to their third position, but would also not have expected to lose by one point (23-24) against Suburbs in Khomasdal – which was only the second win of the season for Jacky Bock’s men.



At Rehoboth

Reho Falcon moved up into the top four for the first time in many seasons.

Galvanised by the tragic loss of the first-team captain Edmando Coetzee, his brother Ethan and their father Ettienne (the club’s chairman) on 13 April, the black and red jerseys have since grown into a tight unit and once again delivered an outstanding performance to upset the odds.

Under eighthman Cameron Markus, Falcon only scored two tries, both in the first half by left wing Daniel Bezuidenhout and flank Keynnen Basson, but three penalties and one conversion by Franklin Busch ensured that they led the scoreboard throughout the match.

Despite Unam’s comeback in the second period scoring three tries, two of Busch’s penalties were ultimately enough after a lead of 12-0 at halftime.

For Unam, replacement Diego Loubser, hooker Gerhard Thirion (captain on the day) and nr. 8 Handre Bezuidenhout scored tries. The latter two both also went over the goal-line for second efforts that were not awarded. Only one conversion was added by replacement flyhalf Johnny Mwenyo.

Referee Johan du Plessis showed three yellow cards in the match, to Unam scrumhalf Willon du Plessis and Falcon’s lock Tonny Isaacks and hooker John Toby van Wyk.

Unam head coach Russel van Rooi says: “A lot of decisions did not go the way we wanted. Unam went over for three unawarded tries, but the big difference was that Reho Falcon really desired the win more.

"We have belief in our processes, but we were unable to finish the scoring opportunities. The absence of Alcino Isaacs and Jason Benade left some holes in our normal leadership core. We also had to replace left wing Quirone Majiedt with an injury after barely 15 minutes.”



At Wanderers

Captain André van der Berg (flyhalf) played a typical playmaker role dictating the terms of Wanderers’ 38-27 home win against FNB Grootfontein.

Despite the loss from which they took no log points, scoring only three tries, Grootfontein were dominant in the scrums and mauls and never gave a single step backwards. Tighthead prop Renard Hattingh was prominent in the tight play, while prop Nelius Theron (shoulder) and nr. 8 Johan Luttig (knee) bravely played on in spite of ongoing niggles.

Wanderers started slow, but built leads of 7-3, 14-6 and 19-13 (halftime), before the visitors suddenly struck with Dhaamin Bassardien’s opportunistic converted try after 59 minutes to be in front by one point.

However, Wanderers regrouped to score the next three tries to take the result out of the northern team’s reach.

Grootfontein captain Wikus Jacobs said yellow cards at crucial times (centre Jahzeél Marais after 18 minutes, flank James Hinda midway through the second half) hampered their effort.

Grootfontein’s try scorers were centres Niel Holtzhausen and Jahzeél Marais and flyhalf Dhaamin Bassardien. Fullback Siegfried Potgieter, replacing their injured regular kicker AJ Vercuil, added three conversions and two penalties.

Wanderers supporters were treated to tries by Darius von Solms (hooker), lock Sheron Rossouw, prop Ignus Tripodi, wings Jurgen Meyer and Bredell Wessels and centre Nandi Karuuombe. Four conversions by Van der Berg sailed through.

• Watch Wanderers v Grootfontein full match: https://q.my.na/V2XW



Disciplinary steps

All in all, Grootfontein is still firmly in contention despite the disciplinary hearing late last week in which wing Mischael Marais (life-time ban) and scrumhalf Zehmuel Marais (four weeks) were punished following their red cards the previous week against Reho Falcon. Mischael paid the price for his flying tackle on referee Oscar Lambert, caught on a viral video from the match’s live broadcast.



At Khomasdal

FNB Western Suburbs overcame their struggling track record so far this season by shocking FNB Kudus at the death by 24-23 at Suburbs Park in Khomasdal, Tielman van Lill reports.

Kudus, after trailing by 14-10 at halftime, upped their game in die second period of the second half, scoring two tries and slotting a penalty goal to lead by 23-14.

However, the home team found a higher gear when trailing by nine points, as a successful penalty kick brought them closer (23-17).

Jacky Bock’s men suddenly came to life. They kept on attacking and finally caught Kudus napping under the poles on their own goal line to cross the line after several phases for victory in the death.

Suburbs’ scored three tries by right wing Jayden Links, flank Dale Cloete and tighthead prop Elliot Lombardt. Flyhalf Rudy Pretorius converted three tries and a penalty kick.

Kudus’ scored four tries, by right winger Ironga Atshivudhi (2), left wing Lucio Isaacs and hooker Jarren Koning. Kyle Wentzel converted one penalty.



United take points at home

Trustco United beat FNB Rehoboth 39-21 at Gemsbok Park in Olympia, after leading 15-8 at halftime.

As defending champions, Robbie Dickson’s United will need a much improved second round to fight their way back to a top-four finish to make the semi-finals.

On Saturday, they overcame the Red Bulls of former United coaching hero Jood Opperman by five tries to three. Rehoboth’s fightback was however hampered by two second-half red cards to replacement backs William Klazen (tackle in the air) and Gurtley Beukes (punch).

For United, captain and centre JD Nel (2), scrumhalf Jahno du Plessis and bench players Henry Kandjou and Rudi Pieters finished off tries. Fullback Ricardo Swartz’s two penalties and four conversions were worth 14 points.

For Rehoboth, Dolano Vries (wing), Henrique Olivier (centre) and replacement lock Charl Freygang went over for tries, along with two Olivier penalties.



NRU Reserve League

Unam II beat Reho Falcon II by 42-20 / Kudus II beat Suburbs II by 53-3 / Wanderers II beat Grootfontein II by 22-7 / Rehoboth II beat United II by 41-15.



NRU Women’s League

Wanderers Bokkies beat Grootfontein Bokkies 72-3 (12 tries to nil) / United Gemsbokkies beat Rehoboth Bokkies 43-12 (seven tries to two).