Club rugby season kicks off in style 

Namibia’s club rugby championship kicked off in thrilling style on Saturday with FNB Wanderers beating Trustco United 27-24 after an injury time try by captain Edward Drotsky. 

With United also commemorating their 110th anniversary as the oldest rugby club in Namibia the previous evening, their players lived up to the occasion with a inspiring display to turn a 20-12 halftime deficit into a 24-20 lead with 10 minutes to go. Their old rivals, however, snatched victory at the death with Drotsky going over from a forward maul and Wiks Tromp converting to seal a great win. 

In a ferocious battle with both sides putting in some big hits on defence, Tromp gave Wanderers the lead with an early penalty, but United went 5-3 ahead when flanker Thehard Lintvelt went over for an unconverted try. 

Wanderers regained the lead when lock Kistings Minyoi crashed over from a maul and with Tromp converting they went 10-5 ahead. 

United, however, responded with a great try that had the fans cheering for more. Their star forward Lintvelt started a counterattack down the left wing, passed to Suramie Kambombo who cut inside and put prop Otja Auala away to dive over under the posts, and with Enrique Husselmann converting United went 12-10 ahead. 

Tromp restored Wanderers’ lead with another penalty and then a converted try by Tareekuje Tjipute after pressure on United’s backline put Wanderers 20-12 ahead at the break. 

United staged a great comeback after the break, with Kamaa Kajau dotting down after a fine run by Jurgens Meyer, and when Lintvelt dived over for his second try they regained the lead at 24-20. Wanderers, however, had the final say with Drotsky’s late try to seal a memorable win. 

Wanderers coach Darryl de la Harpe said it was a great game. 

“It was a brilliant match – this is the type of games you want to play. I’m excited, Namibian rugby looks like it’s in a good place and there were some brilliant youngsters on display today. 

“Well done to United as well, they really gave it to us. I think it was an excellent game and I think Danie (Koen) the referee also had a good game so well done to him,” he added. 

De la Harpe said they managed to pull of the win due to their hard work and planning. 

“This was our first game for the year, we didn’t have any warm-up games, but we prepared in detail and put in a lot of hard work, and focused more on the team. We’ve got an average of 23 to 24-year-olds running on the field today, especially with the second team as well, so, I’m very proud of the boys,” he added. 

The defending champions, FNB Kudus, meanwhile got off with a dominant 45-20 win against FNB Rehoboth at the Jan Wilken Stadium in Walvis Bay. 

Kudus, who have been strengthened by former Wanderers players Adriaan Ludick, Denzo Bruwer and Sheron Rossouw, scored seven tries to collect maximum bonus points. Lezardo Vos scored two, and Aston Mukwiilongo?, Lucio Isaacs, Jarren Koning, Adriaan Ludick and Lloyd Jacobs one each, while Aurelio Plato added six points with the boot and Denzo Bruwer four. 

For Rehoboth, Manfred Garoeb scored two tries and Deevan Mathys one, while Miguel Busch added a conversion and Jason Farmer a penalty. 

FNB Grootfontein also got off to a goosd start with a 35-30 home win against FNB Unam.

Captain Wicus Jacobs scored two tries, and Johannes Luttig and Pieter Daniel Kok one each, while Franklin Busch added 15 points with the boot. 

For Unam, Derick Bezuidenhout, Viery Haufiku and Zadian Campbell scored a try each, while Aljarreau Zaahl added 15 points with the boot. 

In Swakopmund, FNB Dolphins got off to a strong start with a 45-21 win against FNB Western Suburbs.

Dolphins scored seven tries through Zaino van Wyk (two), Ronaldo Diergaardt (two), and one each for Jerome Immanuel, Elrico Beukes and Demashu Maya, while Maya added a conversion, and Van Wyk four conversions for a personal tally of 18 points. 

Wanderers also got off to a winning start in their women’s rugby derby against United, with a 32-10 victory. 

Wanderers scored six tries through Joana van Staden (two), Anchal Harases, Mandie van Staden, Dimitha Wagner and Daniella Beukes, while Van Staden added one conversion. United scored two tries through Mbitjita Matuzee. 

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