UNITED slumped to another defeat when they were beaten 25-15 by Kudus on their home field on Saturday.
It has been a disappointing season for the once mighty United who have now dropped to seventh position on the log on 42 points. Kudus, however, were full value for their victory which puts them in fifth position on the log on 47 points.United’s cause was not helped when prop Ivan Gaya was red-carded after only three minutes for head-butting Kudus prop Allistair Olivier.Despite being a man down, United still won the most possession from the tight exchanges, but they could not break down Kudus’ committed defence, while their backline seemed devoid of ideas.Kudus, on the other hand, attacked with purpose and their backline always looked dangerous when on attack.United took an early lead through a penalty by flyhalf Jacques Vermaak, but Kudus came back through a fine try by flanker Charlie Els, after scrumhalf Divan Lawrence attacked the blindside from a scrum.Lawrence put centre Anthony Jevu away down the left wing and when he was finally checked, Els was up in support to go over for the try, converted by flyhalf Ivo Croza.Vermaak missed two easy penalties, but United regained the lead after a quick backline movement saw left wing Edwin Pretorius going over in the corner.This time, Vermaak converted from the touchline as United went ahead 10-7.A penalty by Croza soon put Kudus level and they took the lead just before halftime through a fine try by centre Jevu after another blind side attack.Kudus went 20-10 ahead early in the second half when eighthman Campbell de Koe touched down after a forward maul.United camped on Kudus’ tryline for long periods in the second half but they could not break through Kudus’ defence.Kudus soaked up the pressure and put the issue beyond doubt through a great try by left wing Marvin Bruwer, who went over in the corner after a full backline movement.United eigthman Winmar Rust scored a late consolation try but by then the issue was beyond doubt.Eighthman Campbell de Koe, centre Anthony Jevu and flanker Ricardo Kubas were Kudus’ standout players.Kudus’ manager Zane Jansen expressed satisfaction with the victory.”We are very excited about our form in the league this year.This is only our first season in the Premier League and we have pulled off some big victories so far.Our last match is away to Reho Falcon but I think we can beat them as well,” he said.www.namibiasport.com.naKudus, however, were full value for their victory which puts them in fifth position on the log on 47 points.United’s cause was not helped when prop Ivan Gaya was red-carded after only three minutes for head-butting Kudus prop Allistair Olivier.Despite being a man down, United still won the most possession from the tight exchanges, but they could not break down Kudus’ committed defence, while their backline seemed devoid of ideas.Kudus, on the other hand, attacked with purpose and their backline always looked dangerous when on attack.United took an early lead through a penalty by flyhalf Jacques Vermaak, but Kudus came back through a fine try by flanker Charlie Els, after scrumhalf Divan Lawrence attacked the blindside from a scrum.Lawrence put centre Anthony Jevu away down the left wing and when he was finally checked, Els was up in support to go over for the try, converted by flyhalf Ivo Croza.Vermaak missed two easy penalties, but United regained the lead after a quick backline movement saw left wing Edwin Pretorius going over in the corner.This time, Vermaak converted from the touchline as United went ahead 10-7.A penalty by Croza soon put Kudus level and they took the lead just before halftime through a fine try by centre Jevu after another blind side attack.Kudus went 20-10 ahead early in the second half when eighthman Campbell de Koe touched down after a forward maul.United camped on Kudus’ tryline for long periods in the second half but they could not break through Kudus’ defence.Kudus soaked up the pressure and put the issue beyond doubt through a great try by left wing Marvin Bruwer, who went over in the corner after a full backline movement.United eigthman Winmar Rust scored a late consolation try but by then the issue was beyond doubt.Eighthman Campbell de Koe, centre Anthony Jevu and flanker Ricardo Kubas were Kudus’ standout players.Kudus’ manager Zane Jansen expressed satisfaction with the victory.”We are very excited about our form in the league this year.This is only our first season in the Premier League and we have pulled off some big victories so far.Our last match is away to Reho Falcon but I think we can beat them as well,” he said.www.namibiasport.com.na
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!