Rehoboth take the lead

REHOBOTH Rugby Club moved to the top of the Namibian Premier League after beating Unam 16-12 in Windhoek on Saturday.

In a close and tough contest, Unam took an early 7-0 lead through a try by eighthman Bwlaya Bwalya when he barged over from the back of a scrum, with flyhalf Eugene Hein adding the conversion. Unam absorbed tremendous pressure by Rehoboth with winger Serge Loock and centre Yoshiro Klazen both coming close to scoring tries, but some desperate defence kept them out.
Rehoboth opened their account with a penalty by flyhalf McGeechan Christians shortly after the break and then took the lead for the first time after a great converted try by lock Gert de Waal, who stormed down the touchline from a lineout and sidestepped inside to score behind the posts. Unam immediately struck back when wing Elmo van der Byl went over from a backline move and with Bradley Klazen adding the conversion they were back in front at 12-10. Unam centre John Drotsky nearly scored, being dived out in the corner, but Rehoboth came back with two penalties by Christians to win the match.
It was Rehoboth’s second victory from three matches, and with former leaders Reho Falcon inactive this weekend, Rehoboth are now top of the log on 10 points.
United moved up to joint second place on nine points after a thrilling 22-17 victory against Western Suburbs at United’s home ground in Olympia.
Suburbs opened the scoring with a fine try by rightwing Deveroux Jansen who went over in the corner after a flowing backline move.
United clawed their way back into the match through the trusted boot of lock Winmar Rust who added three penalties to put them 9-5 ahead. Just before halftime United however suffered a blow when they were reduced to 14 men after lock Tjiuee Uanivi was red carded for throwing a punch.
United started the second half strongly with hooker Shaun du Preez going over for a try and when fullback Guillaume Nel scored a great individual try they had taken a 19-5 lead. Suburbs exerted tremendous pressure in the final quarter and centre Justin Nel finally went over for a try that he also converted. In the final stages, Winmar Rust increased United’s lead to 22-12 with a penalty but Suburbs struck back through a great try by Nel who jinxed his way through several tackles to dive over.
United however defended superbly and managed to hold on for the victory.
United are now joint second on nine points with Kudus, who suffered their first defeat of the season after losing 30-17 to Wanderers at the Wanderers field.
Wanderers led 21-3 at halftime before Kudus staged a strong comeback with two second half tries.
In Swakopmund, Mariental beat Dolphins 19-12.
– namibiasport.com.na

---