Grootfontein soars to top of the log
Club rugby
Andre van der Berg was the playmaker in a 10-point win as flank Prince !Gaoseb was sent on for his Wanderers debut.
In a display of absolute dominance, FNB Grootfontein swept aside Namibia Rugby Union premier league newcomers Simonis Storm Dolphin with a convincing 39-13 victory which put the northern team as the log leader after two rounds. The match, played in an electrifying atmosphere at the Tamariskia stadium in Swakopmund, showcased Grootfontein's unwavering determination and skill, leaving spectators and viewers of NTV’s broadcast impressed with their performance.
Grootfontein hooker and captain Wikus Jacobs rounded off three tries from lineout drives, expanding on his two tries in the previous weekend’s 28-26 home win against defending champions Trustco United.
Grootfontein left wing Lasarus Joseph scored twice, to bring his tally to three tries in two matches. His first effort came from centre Niel Holtzhausen’s run from within his own half off a tapped free-kick.
Number five lock Pieter-Daniel Kok scored one try, but also spent ten minutes in the bin when referee Nicardo Pienaar pinned him for an offence at a ruck when Dolphin was on the attack after 14 minutes.
Fullback AJ Vercuil successfully converted three of the six Grootfontein tries, as well as one penalty.
The Grootfontein team set the tempo and displayed accurate execution. Led from the front by their experienced captain Jacobs, the visitors’ strategic was on point as they played to their strength in the forward pack, wasting no time in asserting their dominance.
The first half saw Grootfontein launching wave after wave of relentless attacks, with their heavy forwards laying down the platform and their backs taking advantage of every opportunity with precision and flair.
Dolphin, though valiant in defence, found themselves constantly on the back foot as Grootfontein's attack proved too much to handle. Captain and lock Romario Janga got a yellow card for a late and high tackle, while nr. 8 Gregory Namaseb was sent off with a red card for a 44th minute tip-tackle on Kok.
The first half concluded with Grootfontein leading 19-6. Dolphin earned six points before halftime with two penalties converted by flyhalf, Rewaldo Diergaardt.
Dolphin, already trailing by two scores, faced an uphill battle in the second half. Any hopes of a resurgence were quickly dashed as Grootfontein picked up right where they left off and maintained relentless pressure.
The Swakopmund team, with 14 men, did manage to score one try early in the second half through replacement prop, Maelagi Geinub, converted by replacement scrumhalf Nathan Isaacs.
Grootfontein remained firmly in control as their superior fitness and cohesion allowed them to weather any attempts at a comeback from Dolphin, as they continued to extend their lead with clinical precision.
REHO FALCON CELEBRATES
FNB Reho Falcon had reason to celebrate as they beat FNB Western Suburbs with both their first and second teams at Dr Lemmer High School’s field.
Boet Matthews reports that hundreds of spectators were entertained and held in suspense until the last minute of the Falcon first team’s 21-17 win at Rehoboth.
Tries by wing Brandon Besser and scrum-half Dillon Kahmann, along with one conversion and two penalties by fullback Enrique Husselmann were on the board for Falcon after the first 40 minutes.
Western Suburbs had answered with a try by left wing Erich Shivute, which fullback Rudi Pretorius converted before also adding a penalty (Falcon leading 18-10).
The visitors from Khomasdal were inspired after halftime and kept Falcon on the back foot as the rain started coming down. The shower coincided with tempers flaring up on the field, as referee Anthonie de Greeff did his best to remain in control.
Husselmann added a penalty as the first points of the second half and last of the day for Falcon, before Suburbs wing Dumarcho Hartung found his way through for a try which Pretorius converted.
Falcon, coached by Frank Isaacs and Eden Meyer, had to produce stern defence in the final minutes to keep the Windhoek team out, as Suburbs had to settle for a losing bonus point.
UNAM MAKES IT TWO FROM TWO
FNB Unam added the scalp of Trustco United to their win over FNB Wanderers seven days before, with only points difference now keeping them behind log leaders Grootfontein.
Unam captain Alcino Izaacs maintained his good form, scoring twice in his side’s 31-17 win, while left wing Shareave Titus and Berry Gande also contributed to Unam’s four-try bonus point. Raschano van Rooi (flyhalf) kicked four conversions and a penalty.
Unam would also have been boosted by the return of Lesley Klim off the bench, as the former test wing searches to win back his best form again.
Reigning title holders United has got off to another slow start in 2024, hoping to peak when it matters. On Saturday, United scored three tries, by right wing Jandre Esterhuyzen, flyhalf Hanreco van Zyl and hooker Callie Swanepoel, as they fell short at the Unam Stadium.
WANDERERS BEAT KUDUS
Flyhalf André van der Berg, back from injury rehab, was once again the general in the 10 jersey for FNB Wanderers, dictating terms in Saturday’s 35-25 win against FNB Kudus.
The Walvis Bay team kept in the hunt during the second half as their hooker Jarren Koning scored his third try at the back of a lineout maul, before a fourth try by nr. 8 Joshua Jacobs earned the visitors a bonus point. Kudus would however have expected better than flyhalf Aurelio Plato’s return of one conversion and one penalty.
Wanderers captain and scrumhalf Jacques Theron scored the first of their four tries following a Van der Berg break, before a Kudus backline move broke down for Wanderers right wing Nandivatu Karuuombe to get on the score board.
Flank Peter Diergaardt retrieved a Theron box kick to offload and send centre Natie van Rensburg over under the posts just before halftime, as Wanderers led 22-13.
The appearance of former Unam and Welwitschias captain Prince !Gaoseb off the bench for Wanderers will be a boost to the White Stallions’ campaign.
The Kudus tries brought them to just a 25-28 deficit with 18 minutes to go, but Van der Berg’s three conversions and three penalties were ultimately decisive as the home side also worked their young left wing Tolley Tjipute over for the late clinching try.