Wanderers win clash of the titans 

A last-gasp drop goal by Andre van der Berg gave FNB Wanderers a thrilling 27-24 victory against FNB Unam in a top of the log Windhoek Lager Rugby Premier League clash at Wanderers on Saturday. 

After a tremendous battle both teams scored three tries, but Van der Berg’s superior kicking gave Wanderers the edge. 

Wanderers took an early lead when right wing Tonderai Ndudzo went over in the corner for a converted try.

Unam, however, came storming back and with their scrum putting Wanderers under severe pressure, they drew level after a great try by Shareave Titus, made by Alcino Isaacs who sent him flying away with a nonchalant backhand pass. 

Ndudzo restored Wanderers’ lead when he cut through Unam’s backline to go over for his second try and with Van der Berg converting and adding a long range penalty shortly after, Wanderers went into halftime 17-7 ahead.

Unam immediately struck back after the break when Gerhard Thirion went over from a maul and with Aljarreau Zaahl converting they reduced the gap to 17-14. 

Danco Burger nearly went over for a try for Wanderers, but was held up on the line, and Unam upped the pressure winning two penalties, but Zaahl and replacement back Johhny Mweenyo both missed the target. 

Unam, however, regained the lead after a great crosskick by Mweenyo found Titus who went over for his second try and with Mweenyo converting they went 21-17 ahead. 

Wanderers laid siege to Unam’s tryline and after several attacks were repelled, Darius von Solms finally burst over from a maul and with Van der Berg converting they were once again in front at 24-21. 

With the tension mounting, Mweenyo put over a penalty to level the score at 24-24, but Van der Berg had the final say when he put over a drop goal with the last kick of the match to seal Wanderers’ win. 

It was a great performance by both sides, characterised by some big hits and relentless defence, and although Unam ended on the losing side, they dominated the scrums and will fancy their chances if the sides are to meet in the final. 

The win puts Wanderers three points clear of Unam at the top of the log on 42 points. 

FNB Reho Falcons’ amazing revival nearly produced another upset as they pushed FNB Kudus all the way before going down 30-28 at Walvis Bay.

Kudus won the try-count four to two, but Kudus conceded too many penalties and nearly paid the price as Falcons centre Franklinn Busch added six penalties for a personal tally of 18 points. 

Fullback Prince January and captain and flanker Cameron Markus scored Falcons’ tries, while Kudus’ tries were scored by fullback Irongwa Atshivudhi, eighthman Ja-Tamson van den Berg, prop Jarren Koning and substitute back Suramie Kambombo. Kudus flyhalf Kyle Wentzel added 10 points with the boot through two conversions and two penaltes. Kudus are now third on the log on 32 points, while Falcons remain fourth on 25 points. 

Trustco United’s revival, meanwhile, continued after they beat FNB Grootfontein 20-15 in a close encounter on their home field at Olympia.

United scored three tries through captain and centre JD Nel, lock Johan Brockman and substitute back PJ Ilonga, while fullback Ricardo Swartz added a conversion and a penalty. 

Grootfontein scored two tries through centre Ian Malan and lock Martinus Nekundi, while right wing Uroel Marais added a conversion and fullback Alfred Vercuil a penalty. 

Grootfontein remain fifth on the log on 23 points, but United are now three points behind in sixth place. 

Simonis Storm Dolphin recorded their first win of the season when they beat FNB Rehoboth 31-29 in another thriller at Swakopmund. 

Dolphins scored four tries through right wing Jennery Xamaseb, left wing Rashaad van Rooyen, lock Sheiton Besser and substitute forward Keanu Engelbrecht as well as a penalty try, while flyhalf Kenan Walters added two conversions. 

Rehoboth scored four tries through centre Hillian Beukes, left wing Kee-Shaan Beukes, flyhalf Xavier van Wyk and substitute back Coburn Claassen, while centre Henrique Olivier added three conversions and one penalty for a tally of nine points.

Dolphins remain bottom of the log on five points, while Rehoboth are third from bottom on 16 points.