United’s title reign hangs by a thread
Club rugby
Underlining the inconsistency of their season, Trustco United’s chances of defending their 2023 Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) premier league title was dealt another severe blow on Saturday, as seventh-placed FNB Rehoboth played spoil sport.The Philistines now have the task of travelling to FNB Reho Falcon next weekend to rake in six log points (by scoring seven tries or more) and winning by a 53-point margin if they hope to replace FNB Grootfontein, who currently occupies the fourth position.
Rehoboth was in fine form for a hard-fought 32-26 victory at the Rehoboth High School field and scored five tries against United’s four, in a high-tempo match.
The hosts came out storming and dominated the first half, while United squandered several chances to score points due to handling errors.
Rehoboth captain and prop, Carl-William Freygang, said: “We improved our game after the massive defeat against Wanderers last week (30-97). This time we fielded a more experienced team and this lifted our confidence. We did not have a perfect season, but we are a work in progress and will be back with a bang next season.”
Between the 14th and 27th minutes, Rehoboth stormed to a 17-0 lead with tries by full-back Corburn Claassen, scrum-half Denver Beukes and right wing Digo Ashipala, with one conversion by inside centre Miquel Busch.
United scrum-half Hanreco van Zyl finally managed to breach a stubborn Rehoboth defense and finally scored United’s first try in the 32nd minute. Flyhalf Ricardo Swartz added the conversion (7-17).
Soon after the second half resumption, United was reduced to 14 as referee Zaid Isaacs handed replacement prop Jano Otto a yellow card. Eighthman Rudi Pieters won a race to the corner in the 44th minute for United's second try (12-17) despite their one-man disadvantage.
Rehoboth however immediately hit back (47th minute) with a try by outside centre Hillian Beukes which Busch converted (24-12). Rehoboth was then reduced to 14 when hooker Titus Mathias was sin-binned, before United similarly played on without substitute forward PJ Ilonga’s 53rd minute yellow card.
Miquel Busch rounded off Rehoboth’s fifth try (29-12) in the 56th minute. United’s replacement scrum-half Elzandro van Wyk’s support play off a strong break by United centre Henry Kandjou led to his try in the 58th minute, which Van Zyl converted (19-29).
Replacement hooker Kamaa Kajau gave hope of a late United comeback when he scored their fourth try in the 70th minute. Van Zyl’s conversion trimmed the margin to three points (26-29).
Denver Beukes had the last say on the day for Rehoboth with a penalty to seal their 32-26 win.
United’s captain and centre JD Nel said they had come for the win, but were surprised by the fighting spirit of Rehoboth. “They put up a superb performance and fought non-stop for 80 minutes. They deserve the win. Its has been a long season and we did not achieve what we wanted to achieve. We will come back stronger next year.”
Grootfontein adds crucial point
At Grootfontein, FNB Wanderers (second) maintained their momentum to beat FNB Grootfontein (fourth) 48-31 after leading 21-10 at halftime.
Inspirational captain Wikus Jacobs (hooker) scored two tries for Grootfontein, with the added tries by replacement forward Amutenya Amutenya and flank Ian Malan securing the four-try bonus point which they hope will keep the challenge of United at bay.
The pressure Wanderers applied led to them earning two penalty tries, alongside five-pointers to full-back Tolley Tjipute (three), wing Nandivatu Karuuombe and centre Johan Deysel. One penalty and three conversions by fly-half Denzo Bruwer sailed through the uprights.
Loose forwards Darius von Solms (Wanderers) and Johan Luttig (Grootfontein) each spent ten minutes in the sin bin.
Unam race to 12 tries
Log leaders FNB Unam delivered a ruthless performance, racing to a 52-14 halftime lead against FNB Reho Falcon before the pace slowed down somewhat for the 74-35 result.
Reho Falcon, who stunningly beat Unam at Rehoboth in the first round (21-17), were left chasing shadows as captain Alcino Izaacs’ men stepped on the accelerator early on.
Wing Quirione Majiedt and nr 8 Gilad Plaatjies each scored three tries for the student team, supported by tries to hooker Gerhard Thirion (2), scrum-half AJ Kearns (2) and wing Shareave Titus.
Full-back Aljarreau Zaahl landed six conversions before leaving the field, with the other kickers Raschano van Rooi and Johannes Mwenyo much less successful and only Bronwon Willemse adding one.
Reho Falcon lived up to their never-say-die reputation, salvaging a bonus point with five tries – by wing Daniel Bezuidenhout, full-back Ashton van Wyk, centre Nando Dentlinger, flank Keynnen Basson and a penalty try. Wing Enrique Husselmann kicked four out of four.
Front-row injuries for Falcon led to non-contested scrums in the second half, while Unam saw Majiedt and replacement hooker Bigman Kaura yellow-carded.
Win for Kudus
At Walvis Bay, FNB Kudus (third) defeated FNB Western Suburbs (eighth) with 15-0.
With one remaining away match against Rehoboth next Saturday, Kudus bounced back from losing their last match at Unam 23-31.
Coach Shaun White’s team welcomed two-time Namibian World Cup flank Max Katjijeko making his club debut, joining from Rugby FC Los Angeles.
All three of Kudus’ tries were scored by right wing Irongwa Atshivudhi and remained unconverted.