Big wins for Unam, Wanderers, Suburbs

FNB Unam, FNB Wanderers and FNB Western Suburbs all got off to big wins as the Namibia Rugby Premier League started on Saturday, while Trustco United pipped FNB Kudus in a close battle. 

At the Unam Stadium, Unam sounded early notice of their title ambitions as they ran in 12 tries in a 78-5 victory against FNB Reho Falcon. 

Scrumhalf Tjipe Tjatuuapo opened the scoring with a try after only three minutes and from then on there was no turning back. 

Further tries by centre Peace Shimwino, lock Bjorn Kazondunge, fullback Vomembo Shihepo and a brace by right wing Paulus Hangula put them 38-0 ahead by halftime.

Unam kept on hammering at Falcons’ line with their expansive attacking game and further tries by Shihepo, left wing Shareave Titus, substitutes Damian van den Ross and Tonderai Ndudzo, and a brace by flanker Berry Gande gave them an emphatic victory. 

Flyhalf Aljerreau Zaahl contributed 18 points with nine conversions.

Unam captain Graham April said it was a good start. 

“The boys really grafted well, it was our first game of the season with a couple of new guys in the team, but we really stuck to our game plan. There are still a lot of things to work on, next weekend we are playing Wanderers, so from here on we must just continue working on the things that we still need to improve,” he said. 

Reho Falcon president Ronaldo Pedro said he was proud of his team despite the scoreline.

“I thought our team did great, even if the score was 78-5. Unam scored from our mistakes, but I think with the young team that we have, the players are between 19 and 25 years of age, I think we are growing,” he said. 

The match was marred by an early injury to Falcons flanker Boris Majiedt, who broke his leg in a maul, and although the medics were on hand to treat him, he was only taken to the hospital about 50 minutes later when an ambulance arrived. 

Pedro said the injury affected his team’s morale. 

“When he left here he was in a lot of pain. The medics did their job, but I think that guy went through a lot today, he was here for almost 50 minutes and then they transported him onto the ambulance. But when he broke his leg it really affected our players and our guys could not get back into the game,” he said. 

“It was one of our guys who fell on Boris and that guy was devastated; it was not good for our team’s morale and from there on things did not go well, but like I said, we stayed on their line and I’m feeling good because I think we are growing,” he added. 

Defending champions Wanderers also collected maximum bonus points with a 47-13 victory away to Rehoboth, after leading 21-8 at half time. 

Wanderers scored seven tries through left wing Warren Ludwig (2), flyhalf DJ Holtzhausen, hooker Darius van Solms, and substitutes Ignis Tripodi, Ryan Coetzee and Kieron Diergaardt, while fullback Denzo Bruwer added 12 points with the boot. 

For Rehoboth centre Nando Dentlinger and lock Chester Diergaardt each scored a try, while flyhalf Casey Beukes added a penalty.  

Western Suburbs also got maximum bonus points as they beat Grootfontein 54-24 at Suburbs Park. 

They ran in eight tries through right wing Demarcho Hartung (2), left wing Heino Keister (2), prop Andreas Shikonekeni, hooker Vernon Diergaardt and scrumhalf Bronwon Willemse, who added six conversions for a personal tally of 17 points, while Ricardo Swartz added one conversion. 

At the Hage Geingob Stadium, Trustco United beat FNB Kudus 26-21 in a close battle. 

Kudus outscored United by three tries to two, but United fullback Renier Benade proved to be the difference, scoring one conversion, three penalties and a drop goal for a personal tally of 14 points. 

Centre Reinold Benade also added a conversion while their try scorers were flanker Eloff du Plessis and lock Zander Bronkhorst.