Unam in great comeback win

UNAM staged a great comeback to beat Reho Falcon 28-26 in an MTC Rugby Premier League match at the Unam field on Saturday.

Falcons seemed set for a comfortable win when they took a 19-13 lead by halftime, but a committed second half performance and a hat-trick of tries by left wing Elmo van der Byl saw Unam taking the lead and then holding out for victory. Reho Falcon took an early 7-0 lead when flanker Deon Pieters bulldozed his way over for a try, with flyhalf Lariano van Wyk adding the conversion. Unam struck back with a fine try by left wing Elmo van der Byl who rounded off a back-line move behind the posts, with Marquez Bezuidenhout converting to tie the score. Unam went 13-7 ahead after two penalties by Bezuidenhout, but Falcons reduced the gap to 13-12 after a great try by Reho Falcon flanker Immanuel Hangula, when he broke through three tackles.A great break by Lariano van Wyk saw winger Deon Mouton going over for a try and with scrumhalf Elroy Diergaardt adding the conversion, Falcons took a 19-13 lead at the break. Unam made a determined comeback when Elmo van der Byl scored his second try, dotting down a grubber by Bezuidenhout, and then midway through the half Bezuidenhout landed a great penalty to put Unam 21-19 ahead. Unam stretched their lead when Van der Byl completed his hat-trick of tries after fine interplay with fullback Bruce Isaaks, and with Bezuidenhout adding the conversion they went 28-19 ahead. Falcons attacked relentlessly in the final stages but Unam held them at bay with some committed tackling until Hangula went over for a try after sustained pressure. Elroy Diergaardt added the conversion but it was not enough as Unam held on for a 28-26 victory. In other matches, the defending champions Rehoboth beat United 21-17 in Rehoboth, while Wanderers beat Kudus 38-31 in Walvis Bay.The top of the log clash between Mariental and Western Suburbs did not take place due to poor planning. According to reports the Mariental field was not available since it had been booked out for the FNB Classic Clashes schools rugby competition.- namibiasport.com.na