Rehoboth go top of the log

REHOBOTH went to the top of the Rugby Premier League log standings after beating Unam 22-19 in a tough encounter at the Unam stadium on Saturday.

Rehoboth led 12-7 at the break but Unam came back to draw level at 19-19, before a penalty by Howard Titus gave Rehoboth the victory.

Unam had several opportunities to score but their finishing and ball handling was poor, as several chances went begging through knock-ons and dropped passes. Rehoboth on the other hand, made better use of their chances and looked dangerous on the counterattack.

Rehoboth opened the scoring with a try by lock Gert de Waal, converted by McGeechan Christiaans, after a fine build-up involving several phase attacks on Unam’s tryline. They took a 12-0 lead midway through the first half after a great try by wing Reduaan Beukes. Flanker Huscit Visagie started a counter-attack deep in his half, beating several defenders with a jinxing run, and when he was finally brought down, possession was quickly recycled to Beukes who tore down the wing to dot down in the corner.

Unam were playing in fits and starts, but finally opened their account just before halftime when centre Harry Alcock burst through from a quick tap penalty, and with Heathlin Cloete adding the conversion, Unam were back in the match with a 12-7 deficit at halftime.

Unam drew level early in the second half after a great try by eighthman Bwalya Bwalya, who rounded off a bullocking run by lock Unovita Kasiringua. They even threatened to take the lead as centre John Drotsky broke through moments later, but with the tryline in sight, he suffered a heavy tackle and had to be stretchered off the field with a broken ankle.

The momentum swung back to Rehoboth, and after a fine run and kick-ahead by Gert de Waal, Yoshiro Klazen nearly touched down, only to be held up by Bwalya on the tryline.

Rehoboth regained the lead after another quick counterattack from within their own half which was rounded off with hooker Werner Meyer bursting over the tryline and with Howard Titus adding the conversion, they went 19-12 ahead.

Unam however were not done and substitute flanker Chrisbun Blom burst over from a tap penalty for a converted try to tie the score at 19-all.

Indiscipline however cost Unam as they were twice penalised in the closing stages, and although Howard Titus missed the first penalty, he succeeded with the second one to give Rehoboth the victory. Rehoboth coach Eden Meyer said he was very relieved with the victory.

“I must say I was a bit stressed before the game. I told my players that this was the first time as Rehoboth coach that I wasn’t feeling well before a game, but luckily the boys pulled it off,” he said. “I told the guys we must come together as a team and play a good game and in the end it paid off and we are very thankful for that,” he added.

Unam coach Werner Jeffrey said it was a match of missed opportunities. “We didn’t take our chances. We gave away 12 points to the posts while we lost several try scoring opportunities. We dominated play but Rehoboth took advantage of our mistakes while their attacks from deep were very effective. We were not patient enough,” he said. Although the defeat put paid to Unam’s title chances, Jeffrey said it had been a successful season for Unam. “This has been our best season ever and we still have a chance to finish third on the log. I must also give credit to the referee – he played very well today,” he said. In Walvis Bay, United staged a great comeback to beat Kudus 36-34. Kudus led 20-12 at halftime but United finished stronger, running in a total of six tries to gain a bonus point. Their try scorers were fullback Guillaume Nel (two), eighthman Corne Eigelaar, scrumhalf Herman Stroh, flanker Jean Potgieter and wing Tuna Amutenya, while Nel added three conversions.

Kudus scored four tries through hooker Wesley Kisting, scrumhalf Keeane Wellmann, centre Richard Ockhuizen and substitute flanker Ernesto Benton, while Charlton Brussel added two penalties and three conversions and Rayton Paulse one conversion. Rehoboth now lead the log on 26 points, followed by Western Suburbs on 25, United on 22, Unam on 14 and Kudus on 10 points.

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