FNB Wanderers closed the gap on log leaders FNB Unam to two points, while FNB Grootfontein took a decisive step to a semifinal spot in Windhoek Lager Rugby Premier League action on Saturday.
At the Wanderers field, a full strength Wanderers side made short work of FNB Rehoboth. Nandi Karuuombe, Danco Burger, Denzo Bruwer, Jacques Theron, Pieter Diergaardt, Obert Nortje and Herschell van Wyk, who all represented Namibia at the recent Africa Cup in Uganda were back in the team, as well as Johan Deysel who captained Namibia at last year’s world cup, and they took control of the match from the outset.
By halftime they were already 57-9 ahead, while they eventually ran in 15 tries to post a comprehensive 97-30 victory.
Flyhalf Denzo Bruwer had a great match, scoring two tries and converting 11 for a personal tally of 32 points, while hooker Obert Nortje excelled up front, scoring three tries.
Their other try scorers were Karuuombe, Burger and Diergaardt who scored two apiece, and Theron, Tareekuye Tjipute, Jurgen Meyer and Natie Janse van Rensburg who scored one try each.
The maximum bonus-point victory saw Wanderers moving up to 69 points, now just two points behind Unam, who beat FNB Western Suburbs 41-15 at Suburbs Park.
Unam, who led 26-5 at half time, ran in six tries, with flanker Rowan Jansen scoring three, while left wing Shareave Titus, scrumhalf Bronwon Willemse and substitute back Tjipe Tjatuuapo scored one try each.
Suburbs replied with two tries by right wing Dumarcho Hartung and prop Marchell Gariseb, while Justin Nel added a penalty and a conversion.
FNB Kudus were not in action but remain third on the log on 53 points, but Grootfontein took a big step to securing a semifinal spot when they beat FNB Reho Falcon 40-34 at Rehoboth.
In a close encounter that saw the lead changing hands several times, Grootfontein took a narrow 20-19 lead at the break, before pullling into a 30-19 lead. Falcons struck back to go 31-30 ahead, but Grootfontein finished stronger with a late converted try and a penalty giving them a crucial victory.
Lock forward Johannes Breedt had a great match for Grootfontein, scoring three tries; centre Jahzeel Marais and hooker Wicus Jacobs scored one try each; and right wing Uroel Marais added three conversions and three penalties for a personal tally of 15 points.
Falcons scored five tries through fullback Casey Beukes, eighthman Cameron Markus, left wing Enrique Husselmann, and substitute back Prince January, as well as a penalty try.
Husselmann added one conversion and substitute back Ashton van Wyk one conversion and a penalty.
The win strengthened Grootfontein’s chances of reaching the semifinals as they are now fourth on 44 points, with a handy lead over the chasing pack.
Falcons dropped down to sixth place on 35 points, while Trustco United moved up to fifth on 37 points after beating Simonis Storm Dolphins 40-10 at Gemsbok Park.
United scored six tries through centre and captain JD Nel (two), fullback Hanreco van Zyl, eighthman Rudi Pieters, prop Richter Steenkamp and substitute back Elzandro van Wyk, while Van Zyl added four conversions and Nel one.
United, however, had one try disallowed for an infringement which could prove costly as it would have given them an extra bonus point.
Dolphins scored two tries through centre Lee-Anzo Losper and flyhalf Kapurua Tjiriange.
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