Maqonda Ndlovu
Trustco United snatched victory from the jaws of defeat after scoring a penalty with the last kick of the game to win 30-29 over FNB Wanderers in the 2023 Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) Premier League at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday.
Wanderers led for most of the match, and were seconds away from victory when semifinal hero Reiner Benade once again showed composure to score a penalty, which gave his side the victory.
Wanderers were the first to settle down, as they missed a penalty in the first five minutes of the game.
However, Benade converted one for United, before Wanderers scored the first try of the match when Danie van der Merwe’s solo run found Reben Botha, who dotted down.
Warren Ludwig converted for a 3-7 Wanderers lead.
Benade converted another penalty before Dean Blom scored United’s first try (converted) to make it 13-7 for his side.
Wanderers came back strongly, and scored two tries (one converted) to take a 13-19 lead into halftime.
The second half saw United score a try within a minute of resumption to take a 20-19 lead, before Ludwig converted a penalty to make it 20-22.
United missed two penalties and Wanderers missed one before the latter scored a converted try with less than five minutes to play to take a 20-29 lead.
United’s never-say-die spirit saw them score a try by Reinold Benade, which was converted by Reiner with three minutes remaining.
United were then awarded a penalty, and Reiner dispatched it with aplomb to give his side victory.
United coach Robbie Dickson paid tribute to his team, saying hard work finally paid off, especially for his young squad, whose average age is 24 years.
“We have a very young squad; we have six 19-year-olds in the squad. Coming from where we were a year- and-a-half ago, this means more is to come from this team,” he beamed.
Dickson added that they back their players all the way, hence the confidence his squad has, even when under pressure.
This is United’s first title in four years.
In other finals, Unam Steenbokkies beat United Gemsbokkies 47-3 to become the 2023 women’s champions.
In the First Division, Etosha Lions beat Mariental 48-24, while FNB Grootfontein beat FNB Kudus 45-42 to claim the Reserve League title.