TRUSTCO United stretched their lead at the top of the Rugby Premier League log to six points after a thrilling 23-22 victory against Western Suburbs at Suburbs Park on Saturday.
In a physical encounter that saw United hooker Gerhard Thirion sent off for foul play midway through the second half, an injury time try by substitute back Jonathan Goliath, converted by Winmar Rust, gave United a last gasp victory.
Both sides scored three tries, but Rust edged Suburbs fullback Ricardo Swartz in the kicking stakes with eight points to seven.
Suburbs missed an early opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty for a high tackle after only two minutes, but Swartz’s attempt hit the post.
Rust opened the scoring for United with a penalty and then also hit the post with a second penalty attempt.
United, however, soon increased their lead with a great try by winger Henry Kandjou. Their forwards bashed away at Suburbs’ line and securing quick second phase possession, spun the ball down the backline to Kandjou who dived over in the corner. Rust’s conversion failed, but they were in the driving seat with an 8-0 lead.
United continued attacking, with their loose forwards Thomas Kali, Naude Neethling and Gerhard Opperman putting in some strong drives, while their pack dominated the scrums.
Suburbs’ defence, however, stood firm and they opened their account on 27 minutes when Swartz put over a penalty.
Another Rust penalty put United 11-3 ahead at the half time break, but Suburbs struck back with renewed vigour in the second half.
Their forwards bashed away at United’s line to set up wing Nikin Cloete for their opening try. Swartz added the conversion to reduce the deficit to 11-10 and barely three minutes later eighthman Mogamat Emamdien crashed over for a try from a forward drive. Swartz added a fine conversion from the touchline to put Suburbs in the lead for the first time at 17-11.
The match was, however, spoiled by intermittent fighting and the referee finally sent Suburbs hooker Howard Gawachab and United flanker Gerhard Opperman to the sin bin in the 53rd minute.
United made a furious comeback with an awesome driving maul by their forwards taking them to Suburbs’ line, and they finally broke through Suburbs’ defence when flanker Naude Neethling crashed over for a try. Once again Rust’s conversion attempt hit the post and bounced away, but Suburbs were now just 17-16 ahead.
With the tension rising, Suburbs struck back in fine style when Cloete went over for his second try and the momentum swung further in their favour when United hooker Gerhard Thirion was sent off in the 66th minute for foul play.
United, however, replied with a tremendous onslaught in the closing stages and after continuous attacks on Suburbs’ line, replacement back Jonathan Goliath finally went over deep into injury time when he touched down a grubber kick by Michael Hummel.
United captain Winmar Rust added the crucial conversion to give them victory by a single point.
It was tough luck on Suburbs, but their coach Llewellyn Winkler praised his side on a fine performance after the game.
“Our execution was not good enough and we could have scored a few more tries if we had taken our opportunities. But I’m very proud of my boys – they played very well and defended superbly,” he said.
Wanderers, meanwhile, clicked into top gear with a 60-31 victory against Kudus in Walvis Bay.
Wanderers scored 10 tries with flanker Pieter Diergaardt scoring three and eighthman Christo van der Merwe two, while wing Elmarco Beukes, fly half Mahco Prinsloo, eighthman Driaan Vorster, lock Kevin Vorster and hooker Stefan Hattingh scored one try each.
Scrum half Jacques Theron added three conversions, and wing Elmarco Beukes and replacement back Rudi Pretorius one each.
Wanderers now move up to 27 points, with two matches in hand on the leaders United (37 points), while Unam are second on 31 points.
