Suburbs leave Unam stunned in Khomasdal

The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) Reserve and Premier League kicked off this weekend in Walvis Bay, Rehoboth and Windhoek.The biggest upset was certainly FNB Western Suburbs’ home win (24-22) against last year’s beaten finalist FNB Unam.Suburbs fought back spectacularly in the second half, after Unam held a comfortable 15-3 lead at halftime.Jood Opperman took over from Jacky Bock in Khomasdal during the off season, as Suburbs and FNB Rehoboth Rugby Club effectively switched head coaches.Opperman told Sport Wrap: “We struggled to stabilize our scrum and to get clean line-out ball. I reckon our fitness carries us through, while the players I sent on in the second half made an impact as well. Gaps started appearing in Unam’s backline and some of our line-breaks led to tries.“It was a good performance by Suburbs and I would rather not point out any individuals; everyone showed what they are capable of. In some key positions we are still looking for stability, but the more we play, the better we’ll understand each other.”Opperman’s advice is that no opponent should under-estimate Unam based on this one result.While many observers may have a feeling it’s been years since Suburbs achieved a win against Unam, the Khomasdal team of 2023 in fact won both home and away (22-20 and 34-33).On Saturday, Suburbs scored three tries, by fullback Dwayne van Zyl, flank Delano van Wyk and replacement back Danielle Coetzee. Conversions were added by Van Zyl (2) and centre Dylan Izaaks (1).Unam’s reply was tries by scrumhalf AJ Kearns, centre Camlo Martin and wing Shareave Titus. Fly-half Raschano van Rooi added two conversions and a penalty.Champions start off strongAt Rehoboth’s Dr Lemmer school field, FNB Wanderers accelerated from their 28-17 halftime lead to overwhelm FNB Reho Falcon 61-23.The reigning champions scored nine tries against two. Hooker Edward Drotsky, his replacement Liam Compion (2), fullback Johnny Mwenyo (2), wing Owen Hawanga, fly-half Denzo Bruwer, nr 8 Joe Losper and replacement back Geraldo Beukes scored tries, along with eight conversions by Bruwer.Reho Falcon never gave up and were rewarded with tries by fly-half Fabian Routh and centre Shaun Mouton. Fullback Fagan Beukes contributed two conversions and three penalties.Kudus rack up a fiftyIn Walvis Bay, rugby lovers were in for a treat as the league began with a coastal derby between the local FNB Kudus in blue and FNB Dolphin in black and white from Swakopmund.As expected, Kudus asserted their dominance at the Jan Wilken Stadium, securing a 55-7 victory to retain the Herbie Fransman Cup for the second year in a row. The cup was introduced last year to honour a former Kudus legend.Kudus opened the scoreboard with a try by fullback Aston Mukwiilongo, successfully converted by flyhalf Michael Koopman. Dolphin soon retaliated when fullback Zaino van Wyk scored the only try for his team, successfully converted by lock Jerome Schumann, formerly of Rehoboth Rugby Club.Kudus then went on a scoring spree, adding eight more tries and successfully converting four. By halftime, the winners already led 29-7.Kudus’ try-scorers of the day were Aston Mukwiilongo (three tries), wing Irongwa Atshivudhi, scrumhalf Rayshawn Shoombe, flanker Ja-Tamson van der Berg, hooker Roberto Lensley, prop Anthony Hoebeb, and replacement back Lloyd Jacobs. Five tries were converted by fly-half Michael Koopman. The winners overcame yellow cards to substitute forwards Jaden Jeffery and Kenneth Seibeb.Afterwards, Kudus captain Cameron Langenhoven said the match was played in good spirits. “Congratulations to our team for retaining the Herbie Fransman Cup. We are proud of everyone. It’s all about preparing well this week and elevating our standard of rugby next weekend as well (away against Grootfontein).”The closest battleFNB Grootfontein took the spoils 24-23 in a closely-fought match against Trustco United at the latter’s field in Olympia.Grootfontein struck first through nr 8 Eloff du Plessis’ try off a lineout maul. However, United led 13-5 at halftime thanks to a try by flank Feddy Mazila, two penalties and the conversion by fullback Enrique Husselmann.Three more Grootfontein tries – by replacement forward Mbimbo Mbai, hooker and captain Wikus Jacobs and fullback AJ Vercuil – secured their bonus point as they shot to a 24-13 lead.United attacked to send centre Jandre Esterhuyzen through. Despite Husselmann adding the conversion and a penalty, the hosts ran out of time, as Grootfontein made a strong start in their quest for a second consecutive semi-final qualification.&bull; Next Saturday’s fixtures: Grootfontein v Kudus; Dolphin v Western Suburbs; Unam v Reho Falcon; FNB Rehoboth v United.&bull; Reserve league results between the second teams: Kudus 15-0 Dolphin; United 22-22 Grootfontein; Suburbs 27-40 Unam; Reho Falcon 10-60 Wanderers.&bull; Premier and reserve league: Log standings, fixtures, results and news at www.fnbrugby.my.na/

Suburbs leave Unam stunned in Khomasdal

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