Unam keeps winning form on tragic weekend
Club rugby
FNB Kudus won theo caostal derby, while Trustco United scored their first win in four matches.
It’s four out of four for FNB Unam in the Namibia Rugby Union’s premier league, after the students beat FNB Rehoboth Rugby Club 39-7 at a packed Rehoboth High School field on Saturday.Unam scored six tries on the day against the rival that kept them out of the semi-finals last year, as Russel van Rooi’s men continue their unbeaten record with a determined approach to reach their former heights again.
Seven tries would have given them the maximum of six log points, while four tries in a match adds one bonus point to the normal four points for a win.
Unam already held a lead of 20-0 at halftime, as things did not go according to plan for Jood Opperman’s Red Bulls.
Even as Unam prop Hilwen Fourie got a yellow card, the home side could not capitalise. Instead, the Windhoek club added tries by centre Kieron Diergaardt and lock Diamando Tjombe while they were only 14 on the field.
Unam’s first try was scored by prop Graham April, while wing Quirione Majiedt and full-back Aljarreau Zaahl (twice) also scored five-pointers, along with their inspirational captain and centre Alcino Izaacs, also called “Dr Majestic”.
For Rehoboth, flank Chase Diergaardt scored their only try and scrum-half Miguel Busch converted.
WANDERERS WIN BEFORE TRAGEDY
At Wanderers field, FNB Wanderers made progress with a dominant 73-21 display against visiting FNB Reho Falcon.
Reho Falcon later that evening suffered unspeakable tragedy as their captain on the day, Edmando Coetzee, along with his father, club chairman Ettienne Coetzee, and younger brother Ethan was killed in a vehicle crash on their return trip to Rehoboth. Another close friend from a well-known rugby family, Greshlinn Bruwer, also died at the scene of the accident about 10 km north of Rehoboth.
During the match, Wanderers built their score on a much stronger scrum and astute game management by flyhalf André van der Berg.
The White Stallions, now third on the log, scored tries – many of them from long-distance attacks – through hooker Obert Nortje (3), prop Ignus Tripodi, flank Darius von Solms, scrumhalf and captain Jacques Theron, wings Nandivatu Karuuombe (2) and Tolley Tjipute as well as fullback Geraldo Beukes. Van der Berg added nine conversions from 11 attempts, as his side raced to a 40-lead at halftime.
Reho Falcon fought back with tries by flyhalf Brian Bayer and replacement backs Casey Beukes and Mariano Loubser, all converted by Enrique Husselmann (1) and Casey Beukes (2). A fourth try would however have been need to take a log point out of the match.
UNITED GETS FIRST WIN
Defending champions Trustco United finally won their first match after three defeats, as they overcame FNB Western Suburbs 34-23 in Khomasdal.
Five tries against two tells the story, as Lorenzo Louis (fullback), wings Morgan Esterhuizen and Jandre Esterhuyzen and halfbacks Bronwon Willemse and Hanreco van Zyl’s tries pushed the Philistines beyond the reach of the Khomasdal hosts. More points were added by Hanreco van Zyl (three conversions) and Willemse (one penalty).
Suburbs’ only reward came through tries by wing Erich Shivute and flank Dhale Cloete. Fullback Rudi Pretorius added two conversions and three penalties, as the green and white still search for their first win of the season.
KUDUS WIN DERBY
At Swakopmund, FNB Kudus displayed their vast experience in overcoming newcomers Simonis Storm Dolphin 26-0 in their coastal derby.
The margin of only four tries could be considered somewhat of a surprise.
Under centre Justin Newman as captain in the absence of Cameron Langenhoven, Kudus worked prop Craig Swartz, reserve hooker Jarren Koning (2) and reserve flyhalf Scott Winborn over for tries, of which Winborn converted three.
NRU RESERVE LEAGUE
Unam’s second team won 36-6 against Rehoboth II. Wanderers II dominated Reho Falcon II by 58-17, scoring nine tries in the process. United beat Suburbs 17-8, while Kudus were too strong by 26-7 for Dolphin.