Tough opener for Suburbs

By: Helge Schutz

DEFENDING champions Western Suburbs start their campaign in the 2013 Rugby Premier League tomorrow with a tough match against last year’s beaten finalists, Rehoboth Rugby Club.

Last year’s final was a close affair as Suburbs overcame a half - time deficit to win 27-22 and Saturday’s match at Suburbs Park should once again be evenly balanced.
Both teams like to run the ball and traditionally play fast, attacking rugby and an exciting match can be expected.
Suburbs had a bye last weekend when the league started but Rehoboth got off to a great start when they beat United 42-32 at home.
Rehoboth scored five tries in the process to get to the top of the log, with Werner Meyer (2), Chase Diergaardt, Fabian Routh and Desmond Snyders all dotting down.
Rehoboth’s neighbours Reho Falcon also got off to a winning start when they beat Wanderers 28-22.
They host Kudus in Rehoboth tomorrow and will start as the favourites to win this match on their home ground. Kudus got off to a winning start last weekend, beating newly promoted Walvis Bay 17-9, but Reho Falcon will be a different proposition altogether.
They have consistently finished amongst the top clubs over the past few seasons, and won the Premier League title two years ago when they beat Rehoboth 21-19 in the final.
United host Wanderers in their traditional derby at the Trustco United field in another match that could go down to the wire. Both clubs will be eager to get back to winning ways after they lost their opening matches last week and a hard fought battle can be expected.
The Swakopmund club Dolphins are the surprise log leaders after they beat Premier League newcomers Polytech 39-15 last weekend. Dolphins picked up two bonus points after scoring seven tries, to go one point clear of Rehoboth and Reho Falcon at the top of the log.
Dolphins however will have a much tougher assignment tomorrow in their away match against Mariental. Mariental did well last Saturday when they overcame a halftime deficit to beat Unam 15-12 and on their home field they will start as the favourites against Dolphins.
Unam will be eager to get back to winning ways and although they will be traveling to the coast, they will start as the favourites against Walvis Bay, who are playing in the Premier League for the first time this season.
The Namibia Rugby Union meanwhile announced that tomorrow’s planned friendly match between the Welwitschias and the Lions has been cancelled because the Lions are playing in the Vodacom Cup final tonight.
The Welwitschias’ next friendly match will be in Windhoek next Saturday, May 25 against a South African Invitational team consisting mostly of Vodacom Cup players.

Tomorrow’s Premier League fixtures are as follows:

15h15 Reho Falcon v Kudus, Rehoboth;
15h15 Walvis Bay v Unam, Walvis Bay;
16h50 United v Wanderers, United;
15h15 Mariental v Dolphins, Mariental;
15h15 Western Suburbs v Rehoboth, Suburbs Park

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