Unam go six points clear at the top

FNB Unam opened up a six-point lead at the top of the Windhoek Lager Rugby Premier League after beating Trustco United 35-20 on Saturday, while their closest rivals FNB Wanderers stumbled to a 51-27 defeat away to FNB Kudus.

At the United field, Unam ran out comfortable 35-20 winners after already sealing the win in the first half. Fullback Aljareau Zaahl opened their account with an early penalty and when captain Gerhard Thirion crashed over from a lineout maul they went 8-0 ahead.

Hanreco van Zyl opened United’s account with a penalty but Unam struck back with two tries in three minutes. Thirion went over from another lineout maul, before left wing Quirione Majiedt turned on the speed to send scrumhalf AJ Kearns away for a try and with Zaahl converting they went 22-3 ahead. 

United did their best to get back into the match and camped on Unam’s tryline, but another great counterattack by Majiedt, who ran 70m to touch down put Unam firmly in control with a 29-3 lead at halftime.

The resut was a foregone conclusion, but United showed great character to try to get back into the match. 

After bashing away at Unam’s tryline, lock forward Johan Brockman finally went over for a try and when fellow lock Xander Bronkhorst went over from a maul they had reduced the deficit to 29-15. 

Zaahl, however, put over a 50m penalty before a late try by United centre and captain JC Nel made the final score 35-20. 

The win put Unam at the top of the log on 49 points from 11 matches, and now six points clear of Wanderers, who suffered a 51-27 defeat to Kudus at the Jan Wilkens Stadium at Walvis Bay. 

Kudus, who led 25-8 at half time, scored seven tries to Wanderers’ four to collect maximum bonus points and move up to 38 points in third place, while Wanderers are now second on 43 points, although they have a match in hand on log leaders Unam. 

For Kudus, scrumhalf Rayton Paulse scored two tries and centre PJ Walters, left wing Suramie Kambombo, flyhalf Kyle Wentzel, replacement forward Luaan Karsten and replacement back Diago Julies one try each, while Julies added three conversions and Wentzel two conversions and two penalties. 

Wanderers scored four tries through left wing Jurgen Meyer, eighthman Driaan Vorster, lock Rainer Augustyn and replacement back Esegiel Unanisa, while flyhalf Geraldo Beukes added two conversions and a penalty. 

Grootfontein, meanwhile, collected maximum points in a 55-12 home victory over Simonis Storm Dolphin

Grootfontein scored nine tries through right wing Uroel Marais (two), left wing Lasarus Joseph (two), centre Jahzeel Marais, scrumhalf Christopher Deck, prop Renard Hattingh, eighthman Wicus Jacobs and replacement back Saari Uugwanga, while Uroel Marais added five conversions for a personal tally of 20 points.

Grootfontein are now fourth on the log on 31 points, while Dolphins remain bottom of the log on five points.

At Suburbs Park, FNB Western Suburbs were pushed all the way before beating FNB Reho Falcon 29-27. 

Suburbs scored four tries through right wing Dumarcho Hartung, left wing Jayden Links, centre Morgan Esterhuizen and flyhalf Rudi Pretorius, who added three conversions and a penalty for a personal tally of 14 points.

Falcons scored three tries through centre Nando Dentlinger, scrumhalf Dillon Kahmann and replacement forward Gashwill Majiedt, while flyhalf Franklin Busch added two conversions and two penalties, and right wing Enrique Husselmann one conversion. 

Suburbs are now seventh on the log on 21 points, while Falcons remain fifth on 26 points.