Windhoek
Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) reigning champions FNB Unam Rugby Club came out unscathed from the local derby against stable-mates FNB Western Suburbs at a packed-to-rafters Western Suburbs Sports field in Khomasdal, Windhoek on Saturday.
Going into the penultimate clash of the titans a massive 12-points adrift of early pacesetters Wanderers and one behind second-placed United, the students started the match like a house on fire – showing their more illustrious opponents very little respect, if any.
In what can be easily described as one of the most entertaining encounters witnessed in our neck of the woods in a long time both teams provided the enthusiastic crowd with running rugby, much to the delight of the large crowd that included Namibian rugby honcho Bradley Basson amongst the dignitaries.
It took the fired-up visitors slightly over five minutes from the first whistle to open the scoreboard through exciting young winger Unomasa Kavita. The speedy winger showed his markers a clean pair of heels on his way to cross the white line for the game’s first try, which was duly goaled by multi-talented fullback Lorenzo ‘Jingly’ Louis (7-0).
The latter is also a regular starter for Unam’s football side campaigning in the MTC Premiership. Kavita was back in the picture again when he zigzagged past a cluster of hapless defenders to score his second try before Louis returned the compliment from the resultant conversion (14-0).
Suburbs reduced the deficit through ‘Captain Fantastic’ Ricardo Swarts’ well-placed penalty (14-3). Shortly afterwards Lesley Klim scored a beauty of a try when the burly centre wunderkind sliced through a static Suburbs defense to ground the oval ball near the posts.
Louis’ educated boot stretched the scoreboard to 21-3, as he neatly dispatched the conversion between the goalposts. Subsequently, the multi-talented fullback missed two successive penalties from almost the halfway line.
The hosts started to pay some frequent visits into the visitors’ territory and were rewarded when Swarts registered his name on the scoreboard from another penalty for a half-time score of 24-6.
After a thorough tongue-lashing from the coach, the hosts were a different side after the break and were quick off the mark to ensure speedy winger Wilson Gino dotted down for Suburbs’ first try of the match.
Swarts was successful in the conversion (24-13), while Gino provided a nervy end for the tiring visitors, as his unconverted second try of the match brought the final outcome to a respectable face-saving 24-18.
Welwitschias lose again
Meanwhile, the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias lost their seventh consecutive Currie Cup match after going down 42-17 against the South African Leopards in Potchefstroom, South Africa on Saturday.