Wanderers in front as Kudus slip up

FNB Wanderers established themselves at the top of the standings during Saturday’s penultimate round of the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) Premier League.7

Wanderers’ tense 32-27 home win against FNB University of Namibia was a highly intense and entertaining affair which hung in the balance until the final whistle and could have gone either way.

Unam wing Darryl Wellman had the unenviable, but notable achievement of scoring a hat-trick of tries in a losing cause as the Wanderers hung on to the lead throughout the match (halftime 21-15).

The respect with which experienced referee Jacky Husselmann is regarded was on display as there was minimal dissent shown despite two big calls in the dying seconds of the match.

Husselmann sent Wanderers replacement prop Nian Berg to the sin bin for a side entry into a ruck after 73 minutes, before disallowing Unam replacement back Johnny Mwenyo’s late intercept try from within his own half for what could have been the winning points. On recommendation of a touch judge, Husselmann ruled that Mwenyo had caught the ball in an offside position.

For Wanderers, hooker Obert Nortje scored two tries off lineout mauls, but the speed and enterprise of their backs also cut through Unam a number of times for promising moves that ultimately went unrewarded.

JC Greyling (centre) and Nandivatu Karuuombe (right wing) contributed to Wanderers' earning the four-try bonus point, while flyhalf André van der Berg landed three conversions and two penalties.

Besides Wellman’s three tries, the student team’s captain, Prince !Gaoseb, scored a try as well. Fullback Aljarreau Zaahl was accurate with two conversions and a penalty.

AT GROOTFONTEIN

FNB Kudus suffered only their second defeat of the season as they were beaten 29-19 at FNB Grootfontein – a fixture in which the Walvis Bay team also came off second best in the 2021 season.

After a few weeks at the top of the log, Kudus were not at full strength and are now relegated to second place, but still in a strong position to book a rare, but well-deserved home semi-final.

Grootfontein’s influential captain and hooker, Wikus Jacobs, was once again among their try scorers, as were prop Adriaan Potgieter and flank Jonathan Strijbis. The latter also spent ten minutes in the sin bin during the second half. Flyhalf Louis Grobbelaar kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Despite the result, Grootfontein is set to narrowly miss out on semi-final contention once again, as the northern side rues some of their earlier missed opportunities.

DRAMATIC DRAW

FNB Rehoboth scored three tries to one, but was kept to a 22-22 draw by FNB Western Suburbs at the Hage Geingob Stadium, as both sides maintained their fifth and fourth log positions.

In fact, the Suburbs had one more late chance to seal a win, but Justin Nel’s penalty attempt sailed wide. The flyhalf scored three earlier penalties, along with two earlier penalties by fullback Ricardo Swartz before the latter left the field with an injury. Scrumhalf AJ Kearns scored the Khomasdal side’s only try and converted it himself.

For Rehoboth, tries were scored by centre Keathan Freygang, lock Charl Freygang and flank Boris Majiedt. Flyhalf Cliven Loubser added seven points off the kicking tee.

BOTTOM OF THE LOG

Trustco United overcame FNB Reho Falcon 33-26, after leading 28-7 at halftime in Rehoboth.

United’s try scorers were scrumhalf Jahno du Plessis (2), Nr 8 Dean Blom, flank JP Waldeck and replacement forward Thomas Kali. Four of Oela Blaauw’s conversions were accurate.

Reho Falcon replied with tries by scrumhalf Enrique Husselmann, wing Brayton Snyders and centre Franklin Kharigub. Franklin Busch (fullback) landed three conversions.

This coming Saturday’s final round of matches before the semi-finals (home teams first):

Kudus v Western Suburbs; Unam v Grootfontein; Wanderers v United; Rehoboth v Reho Falcon.