FNB Wanderers regained the lead on the Namibia Rugby Premier League log, while defending champions FNB Kudus reignited their campaign with a commanding win on Saturday.
At the Wanderers field in Windhoek, the home side ousted FNB Grootfontein from the top spot with a hard-fought 33-31 victory.
In a bruising battle of fluctuating fortunes, the teams were tied 14-all at half-time, before Wanderers streaked into a commanding 28-17 lead.
Grootfontein, however, made a great comeback to go 31-28 ahead, but a last-minute try by Wanderers flyhalf Andre van der Berg secured their win.
The impressive Van der Berg added four conversions for a personal tally of 13 points, while he was a constant danger with his link-up play with forwards and backs.
Wanderers’ other try scorers were Adriaan Booysen, Jaylon Carew, Dhale Cloete and Jacques Theron, while Grootfontein scored three tries through Renard Hattingh, Adriaan Steenkamp and Rudi Pretorius, and Franklin Busch added 16 points with the boot.
The heavy forward collisions, however, took their toll as the match was regularly interrupted due to injuries, while Wanderers hooker Obert Nortje was stretchered off due to concussion.
The win put Wanderers back on top of the log on 45 points with Grootfontein now second a point behind. Despite the defeat, Grootfontein captain Wicus Jacobs said he was proud of his team.
“I’d like to congratulate Wanderers on the win. They really brought it to us, but I thought we were in the game till the end. I think we showed the whole country what Grootfontein can do, and we came so close to winning the game, but it’s the bounce of the ball, and to beat Wanderers at home is tough. They’ve got perfect coaching staff.
“We’ll take this one on the chin, go back to the drawing board and get ready for our next match against Rehoboth,” he said.
“I think we are definitely still title contenders . . . But I’m very proud of my boys, we travelled far and long, and we put up a good fight. They put up a spectacular performance today,” Jacobs said.
Kudus, meanwhile, got their campaign back on track with a commanding 53-38 win at home against Montego United.
Kudus scored seven tries through Lloyd Jacobs, Ray-Shawn Shoombe, Ja-Tamson van der Berg, Alexander Jansen, Jarren Koning, Mogamat Emamdien and Roche Janse van Vuuren, while Aurelio Plato added 18 points with the boot.
United scored six tries through Jurgen Meyer (two), Irongwa Atshivudhi, JD Nel and Ben Burger, and a penalty try, while Enrique Husselmann added three conversions.
United are now third on the log on 42 points, while Kudus are fourth on 32.
FNB Rehoboth withstood a strong challenge to beat FNB Dolphins 35-31 at home.
Rehoboth scored four tries through Jason Farmer (two), Dolano Vries and Delano van Wyk, while Miguel Busch added 15 points with the boot.
Dolphins scored four tries through Shaun Useb, Luciano Geingob, Ouboer Genius and Antonio Titus, while Maughan Jarman added 11 points with the boot.
Rehoboth are sixth on the log on 22 points, while Dolphins are seventh on 16.
FNB Western Suburbs’ poor form continued as they suffered a ninth consecutive defeat going down 61-26 at home to FNB Reho Falcon.
For Falcons, Cliven Loubser and Dillon Kahman each scored four tries, and Saari Uuwanga one, while Kahman added three conversions and Henrique Olivier five.
Suburbs scored four tries through Gerhardt Vino, Billa Kaverua, Upahee Muhuura and Edward Mensah, while Wyatt Brooks added two conversions and Dewayne van Zyl one.
Falcons are eighth on the log on 15 points while Suburbs are bottom on two points.
