Grootfontein, Wanderers set the pace
FNB Grootfontein and FNB Wanderers continued to set the pace in the Namibia Rugby Premier League with important wins on Saturday. Grootfontein beat the defending champions FNB Kudus 24-19 in tough encounter at home, while Wanderers overcame FNB Unam 51-42 in another humdinger, to stay two points behind Grootfontein at the top of the log. […] The post Grootfontein, Wanderers set the pace appeared first on The Namibian.
Black News 
FNB Grootfontein and FNB Wanderers continued to set the pace in the Namibia Rugby Premier League with important wins on Saturday.
Grootfontein beat the defending champions FNB Kudus 24-19 in tough encounter at home, while Wanderers overcame FNB Unam 51-42 in another humdinger, to stay two points behind Grootfontein at the top of the log.
The match between Unam and Wanderers was evenly poised from the start with Wanderers taking a narrow 28-27 lead at the halftime break before pulling away after the break.
Unam came out firing and took a 14-0 lead after tries by Bronwin Willemse and Rowan Jansen, both converted by fullback Aljarreau Zaahl.
Wanderers opened their account when scrumhalf Dominique Izaacs broke clean through the backline to go over with Wiks Tromp converting, but Unam stretched their lead to 21-7 when Valentino Niigambo went over from broken play.
The momentum swung back and forth as Wanderers struck back with a great try by winger Tareekuje Tjipute, but a Zaahl penalty put Unam 24-14 ahead.
Wanderers, however, turned the match around with two tries in quick succession, with flyhalf Wiks Tromp playing a central role in both. He first broke clean through the backline to put Danco Burger away with a backhand pass, and then went over himself after another clean break to give Wanderers a 28-27 lead at halftime.
Wanderers stretched their lead to 38-27 after two tries from forward mauls by hooker Obert Nortje, but Unam struck back when Paulus Hangula finished off a fine counterattack to close the gap to 38-32.
Wanderers, however, pulled away with tries by Burger and Nortje’s third try, as well as a penalty by SW Kuhn, while Unam replied with consolation tries by Carlo Hawanga and Niigambo.
Wanderers captain Danco Burger said they will take the win.
“If you look at the score you’ll see that there was some rugby played today, but coming to Unam is never easy. We did some good stuff but we have some work-ons that we have to improve on, but overall I’m happy with the win.
“We’re putting a lot of emphasis on progress and individual development, so we’re coming together and gelling as a team now which is very good to see, game after game, and we’ll enjoy this win,” he added.
That win put Wanderers on 24 points, two behind log leaders Grootfontein who maintained their unbeaten run with a hard fought victory against Kudus.
Grootfontein hooker Wicus Jacobs was once again in great form, scoring a hat-trick of tries, while fullback Lorenzo Louis scored one, and centre Franklin Busch added two conversions.
Kudus replied with two tries by right wing Aston Mukwiilongo, and one by centre Divan Steyn, while Aurelio Plato and Denzo Bruwer each added one conversion.
Trustco United, meanwhile, moved up to third position after an emphatic 50-19 victory against FNB Dolphins at Swakopmund.
United ran in eight tries through JD Nel (two), Suramie Kambombo, Irongwa Atshivudi, Richard Mupewa, Dandre Schreuder, Johan Brockmann and Thehard Lintvelt, who added five conversions for a personal points tally of 15 points.
Dolphins scored three tries through Zaino van Wyk, Jerome Immanuel and Ronaldo Diergaardt, while Demashu Maya added two conversions.
United are now on 18 points and with a match in hand, they are still within touch of the leaders.
Rehoboth Rugby Club, meanwhile, got their first win of the season with a close 20-16 derby win against Reho Falcon. The win saw Rehoboth moving off the foot of the table, while Western Suburbs, who were not in action, have now moved to the bottom of the log.
The post Grootfontein, Wanderers set the pace appeared first on The Namibian.
