Thrillers expected as title race intensifies

Some exciting matches lie in store in the Namibia Rugby Premier League tomorrow as the battle for the knockout stages intensifies. 

With two-thirds of the league now complete, the top three teams, FNB Wanderers (on 42 points), FNB Kudus (39) and Trustco United (38) have opened up a significant gap on the rest of the field and are nearly certain of making the knockout stages.

The fourth semifinal spot, however, is still up for grabs with FNB Western Suburbs now in pole position on 29 points, followed by FNB Unam on 23 and FNB Rehoboth on 21 points. 

Even the bottom two clubs, FNB Grootfontein on 17 points, and FNB Reho Falcon on 12 points still have a mathematical chance of making the knockout stages. 

Wanderers are the only remaining unbeaten team in the league and are expected to maintain their winning run when they host seventh-placed Grootfontein at their Pionierspark ground. 

Grootfontein, however, cannot be underestimated as they nearly shocked Wanderers in their first round clash at Grootfontein on 13 May, before losing 25-23, while the northern team also impressed before losing 48-31 to Kudus and 32-25 to Suburbs. 

After beating Rehoboth 23-17 on 10 June, they picked up their second win last weekend, squeeking home 45-44 against Reho Falcons, and could provide a handful for Wanderers.

Suburbs will be out to extend their recent winning run when they host Kudus at Suburbs Park.

Suburbs had an indifferent start to their campaign and after losing 21-15 to United on 17 June were lying fifth on the log. Since then, however, they went on a three-match winning streak, beating Grootfontein 32-25, Rehoboth 27-25 and Unam 34-33 last weekend to open up a significant lead in the battle for fourth spot. 

Kudus, however, will be a tough proposition, especially after the coastal side won their first round encounter 41-10 at Walvis Bay, but tomorrow’s match is expected to be closer and could be a humdinger. 

Another fascinating battle will be in store at Trustco United Park where United host Unam. 

Unam also had an indifferent start, dropping down to seventh position after they lost 24-8 to Kudus by 10 June, but since then they have made a significant improvement. They beat Grootfontein 44-17 and Falcons 38-26, and although they narrowly lost against Wanderers (36-42) and Suburbs (33-34), they are now right back in the hunt for a semifinal spot. 

United, however, are having their best season in several years, having won seven matches, drawing one and losing only two to date, while they also convincingly beat Unam 44-24 in their first round encounter away on 13 May,  but the outcome could be closer when they host Unam in their return leg tomorrow. 

Rehoboth and Reho Falcon will do battle in the Rehoboth derby and both will need a victory to remain in the running for the knockout stages. 

Their first round match on 13 May went down to the wire with Rehoboth winning 34-32 and another humdinger can be expected in the return leg tomorrow.

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