Wanderers hand UNAM first defeat of the season

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Wanderers Rugby Club handed the University of Namibia’s (UNAM) their first defeat of the 2021 rugby season, clinching a narrow 27-25 victory at the Unam Sports Field on Saturday.

Wanderers scored five tries and only managed to convert once, while UNAM had three tries and two conversions and two penalties.

Wanderers’ tries came at the hands of Warren Ludwig, Doneville Lebereki, Bernie Hugo, Jacques Theron and Obert Nortjie, with Theron also accounting for a conversion.

Alcino Isacks, Delron Brandt and substitute Enzo Kotze were the try scorers for UNAM, with Brandt adding 10 points through two penalties and two conversions.

Wanders built an early 17-3 lead, however, UNAM clawed their way back with two quick tries within two minutes right at the end of the half, leaving the teams tied at 17-17 at the break.

In the second half, UNAM took the lead through a penalty by Brandt to make it 20-17 in their favour, but Wanderers struck back with a try to regain the lead and make it 22-20.

Wanderers added another try to make it 27-20 for the visitors, but UNAM once again came back strongly and reduced the deficit to two points (27-25)

Three minutes before the end of the match, UNAM were then awarded a penalty about 40 meters out, which Lorenzo Louis missed to confirm his team’s narrow defeat.

Unam coach, Johan Diergaartd, said his team was inconsistent throughout the game as they failed to utilise the ball with maximum effort.

Wanderers’ coach, Rohan Kitshoff, said they had started off well but they knew that the match would be a tough encounter.

Unam remains on top of the log (26 points) followed by Western Suburbs (24 points) in second place and Wanderers in the third position (22 points), while Rehoboth is in fourth with (20 points).

In other matches played on Saturday, Kudus defeated United 28-15 at Walvis Bay, while Rehoboth Rugby Club ousted Grootfontein 31-14 in Rehoboth, with Western Suburbs playing to a 32-32 stalemate with Reho Falcon in Windhoek.

Source: Tha Namibian Press Agency