A brilliant first-half performance from the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias helped secure their first victory in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge when they thumped the Hino Valke 45-43 at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday. The home side was comfortably in the lead at halftime, 42-24.
The inaugural domestic rugby competition has reached its halfway mark with the second round of matches getting underway this weekend.
This is the first victory for the Namibia-based side following four heavy defeats — first against the Valke in the opening round, followed by big losses to the Xerox Golden Lions, the Vodacom Blue Bulls and the Steval Pumas.
Both sides occupy the bottom of the North section log after five rounds. But with two wins, one draw and three losses, the Falcons are within reach of the top three sides.
Despite being outscored by the visitors with seven tries to six, it was an all-round clinical performance from the Namibian men that ensured they dominate at critical moments. Kicking accuracy of flyhalf Theuns Kotze proving to be the difference in the end.
Tries for the Valke came via a brace from Johannes Pretorius and a try each from Shane Kirkwood, Grant Janke, Etienne Taljaard, Reg-Hack Muller and Marco Klopper.
Tries for the home side were scored through a brace from left winger Gino Wilson and one try apiece courtesy of Roderiques Victor, David Philander, Johann Greyling and Lesley Kim.
The six first-half tries from the Welwitschias were enough to record their first win of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge.
Clinical kicking from Kotze allowed the home side to keep the pressure on their opponents for their first win, albeit they still occupy the bottom of the North log in the competition.
The Welwitschias last recorded a victory in April 2015 when they edged the Limpopo Blue Bulls 24-17 in Windhoek.
The battle between these basement dwelling sides kept the small crowd in Windhoek entertained.
The first-half performance was more than enough for the Namibia side to secure an emphatic first win with the forwards proving effective at the breakdown while the backline rounded off excellently.
The match went back-and-forth in the opening half, both sides making good use of their territory and possession.
Excellent playing conditions at the Hage Geingob Stadium saw the visitors open the scoring as early as the second minute when the nippy Pretorius ghosted the defence for his first of two tries (the conversion was missed by Rust).
Almost immediately the home side responded, and in quick succession, through some brilliant footwork and finishing from speedster Wilson as he completed his brace in the 8th minute, Kotze making no mistake off the tee with both attempts, 14-5.
Sensational interplay from the visiting side saw them regain the lead in the 21st minute after scoring three more tries and fullback Rust succeeded with only two of his three attempts. Pretorius rounding off his brace and extending the Valke’s lead to 14-24 following Rust’s conversion.
But it was all Welwitschias in the remainder of the first half with Victor, Philander, Greyling and Kim rounding off the tries for the home side and taking the scoreboard to 42-24 as the players headed into the locker rooms.
A solo penalty from the home side was the only points in the second half, but it was enough to secure the Welwitschias’ first win of the tournament.
The Valke would go on to to score three more tries but it was not enough to outsmart their opposition as they continue to lay down the charge in the North section of the competition.
But it was the accurate kicking from the tee of Kotze along with the clinical display of the home side that proved to be enough for a memorable first win for the Namibians. – supersport.com
SCORERS
Windhoek Draught Welwitschias – Tries: Gino Wilson (2), Roderiques Victor, David Philander, Johann Greyling, Lesley Kim Cons: Theuns Kotze (6) Pen: Kotze
Hino Valke – Tries: Johannes Pretorius (2), Shane Kirkwood, Grant Janke, Etienne Taljaard, Reg-Hack Muller, Marco Klopper Cons: Christiian Rust (4)
