UNAM extended their lead at the top of the Namibia Club Rugby Premier League after beating Reho Falcon 47-6 on Saturday, while Corrie Mensah was elected as the new president of the Namibia Rugby Union.
Mensah of Western Suburbs Rugby Club beat Ivan Gaya to the top post after the latter withdrew his nomination and in stead stood for the vice presidency.
Mensah replaces Bradley Basson who steps down after six years at the helm.
The rest of the NRU executive committee consists of Gaya (vice president: rugby), Etienne Coetzee (vice president: governance), Johan Ockhuizen (Hardap region), James Camm (Khomas region), Edwin Coetzee (Auas), David van Kradenburg (South), Chandler Plato (West), Jacky Husselman (Namibia referees society), Abie van Wyk (Namibia school sport rugby), Werner Jeffrey (Tisan) and Corne Powell (Namibia rugby players’ union). The Northern region is still vacant.
On the playing field there was not much change as Unam powered to a fourth consecutive win against Rehoboth. By half time they were already 26-0 ahead and they eventually scored seven tries to collect maximum bonus points and extend their lead at the top of the log to nine points.
Left wing Chippie Lawrence scored two early tries, while eighthman Bradley Klazen finished off a rolling maul to put them 19-0 ahead. Just before half time, scrum half Cameron Klassen scored a fine blindside try and with Lorenzo Louis adding an excellent conversion from the touchline they took a 26-0 lead at the break.
Rehoboth staged a fine comeback in the second half, and fly half Ascher Coetzee opened their account with two penalties, but Unam’s forward superiority eventually told.
Centre Camlo Martin streaked through for a try after breaking through the backline, while further tries by fly half TC Kisting and substitute scrum half Jaycee Olivier completed an emphatic victory.
The result sees Unam on 19 points, moving nine points clear of second-placed Wanderers, who beat Reho Falcon 55-13 in Rehoboth.
United, meanwhile, dropped down to third place after a narrow 25-21 defeat to Kudus in Walvis Bay.
In an enthralling encounter, United took a 14-12 lead at halftime, but Kudus went 25-14 ahead with two tries early in the second half.
United kept up the pressure and were finally rewarded with a late converted try, but it was too little too late as Kudus held on for a hard fought victory.
Kudus scored three tries through Ngumee Ngaiko, Carlton Stevens and Ivo Croza, while Aurelio Plato added two conversions and two penalties.
United also scored three tries through Tewis Brand, Tuna Amutenya and Naude Neethling, with Winmar Rust converting all three.
United are now third on the log on nine points, while Kudus are just behind on eight points.
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