Unam retains Chandler Plato trophy
Club rugby
Unam and Kudus produced a crowd pleaser and had the fans on their feet when they clashed in an NRU Premier League match
Log leaders FNB Unam defeated FNB Kudus 31-23 in a tightly contested, tactical Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) Premier League match on Saturday. The victory at Unam Stadium ensured that the Chandler Plato Challenge floating trophy which the students had won in 2023, stays in Windhoek. The winners earned N$10 000 in prize money, to be donated to a charity of their choice.
The two players of the match, Unam scrumhalf AJ Kearns and Kudus nr 8 Cameron Langenhoven each received N$1 000 each for their efforts.
The NRU vice-president Johan Diergaardt handed over the prizes and challenged clubs to ensure that players are fit and conditioned properly in order to lift the overall level of club rugby in the country.
Unam captain and hooker Gerhard Thirion, who put in a storming shift, said: “We fought until the very end. I am very satisfied with our performance and the depth of our squad. The players that returned from national duty slotted in perfectly. Our focus is on the semi-finals and we know what our mission is.”
Scrumhalf AJ Kearns sharply cut through the Kudus defence for the first try after 7 minutes. Full-back Aljarreau Zaahl added the conversion (7-0).
Hooker Jarren Koning rounded off a driving maul for the coastal visitors in the 16th minute. Fullback Kyle Wentzel missed the conversion (5-7).
A speedy Alcino Izaacs (Unam centre) cut cleanly through off a flat pass on the goal-line for their second try in the 22nd minutes. Zaahl converted (14-7).
Right wing Aston Mukwiilongo replied for Kudus with an unconverted try off a planned scrum move in the 33rd minute (10-14).
A Wentzel penalty trimmed the difference to a single point just before the halftime whistle (13-14). Unam was reduced to 14 by referee Anthonie de Greeff’s yellow card to flyhalf Raschano van Rooi in the 42nd minute.
Unam kept their composure and frustrated Kudus with tight defence and quick counterattacks, adding a Zaahl penalty in the 50th minute (17-13).
Kearns caught the Kudus defence off-guard again and touched down for his second try in the 52nd minute. Zaahl converted(24-13).
Replacement Scott Winborn kicked a 58th minute penalty for Kudus (24-16). Izaacs however had other plans and scored his second try for Unam off a counter-attack. Zaahl converted (31-16). Sustained pressure paid off for Kudus with Suramie Kambombo diving over for their third try in the 72nd minute. Winborn added the conversion (23-31).
Kudus captain Cameron Langenhoven said it was a tough match. “Unam came out firing on all cylinders. They wanted to play a very fast game and the altitude played in their favour. It was a good outing but it definitely showed where we need improvement ahead of the semi-finals.”
He pointed out Kudus’ reaction time. “We will have to sharpen up. They caught us flatfooted and scored two tries from turnover balls and running from deep in their half.”
Grootfontein out-muscles Suburbs
FNB Grootfontein stormed to a run-away 61-7 result against FNB Western Suburbs at Grootfontein, scoring nine tries.
Lock Jan Breedt and centre Jahzeél Marais each scored twice for the winners, along with one each to fullback AJ Vercuil, loose forwards Johan Luttig and Oliver Mouton, replacement back JJ Liebenberg and wing Uroél Marais. The latter also kicked eight conversions.
Suburbs’ only reply came through a try by replacement hooker Vernon Diergaardt, which fly-half Wyatt Brooks converted.
• FNB Wanderers (2nd) also took no prisoners on their way to a 66-0 white-wash of Simonis Storm Dolphin at Swakopmund to add the full six log points.
Try-scorers for the winners were backs Jurgen Meyer, Nandivatu Karuuombe (2), Jonathan Hanekom, Natie van Rensburg (2), Denzo Bruwer and Reben Botha, as well as forward Johan Meyer and Dandre Schreuder. Bruwer (5) and substitute DJ Holtzhausen (3) kicked conversions.
NRU Reserve League
Log leaders FNB Unam II defeated Kudus II (2nd) 15-14; Rehoboth (4th) beat Reho Falcon (8th) with 21-9; Grootfontein II (6th) earned a 33-12 win over Western Suburbs (7th) and Wanderers II were too strong for Dolphins II (52-7)
Fixtures 10 August
(Home teams first): Reho Falcon (5th) v Grootfontein (4th); United v Dolphin (9th); Wanderers (2nd) v Reho Falcon (7th); Suburbs (8th) v Unam (1st).