• Sport

Kudu edge closer to a semi-final at home

The Kudu Rugby Club showed once again they are the team to beat this season of the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) premier league when they clinched a 22-15 victory over Wanderers over the weekend.
The hosts managed to score three tries, two conversions and a penalty in a hard-hitting, adrenaline-fuelled game.
Kudu fly half Aurelio Plato went over in the corner after an attacking move and opened the score for his team. He also added the conversion (7-0).
Tempers flared during the physical match, which progressed rapidly. This resulted in three yellow cards for Wanderers (captain and eighthman Christo van der Merwe, openside flanker Driaan Voster, lock Lebeau du Preez and two for Kudu (openside flanker Lezardo Vos and lock Prop Tersius Arangies).
However, this did not deter the men in blue.
Right wing Lloyd Jacobs - who was a thorn in the flesh for Wanderers during the first encounter played in Windhoek - intercepted the ball in his own half, made haste and scored a brilliant try. Plato added the conversion.
Eighthman Joshua Jacobs scored the third and final try for Kudu. Plato also added a penalty and took their score to 22.

Full force
Kudu captain and blindside flanker Cameron Langenhoven received a red card in the second half. Due to their one-man advantage, the momentum swung in favour of Wanderers but this did not deter the hosts, who put on a fine defensive display to weather the storm.
Kudu vice-captain and outside centre Justin Newman said it was a tough, physical and very challenging game.
“We knew Wanderers would come full force and with a bang at us. They really came to play. We appreciate the immense support from everyone who pitched to watch us play; it’s always great to play on our home grounds. "Playing without our captain and a man down in the second half, we knew that we just had to keep our composure and work together. We truly stuck together. Thank you, Wanderers, for a great game!”
The try scorers for Wanderers were hooker Obert Nortje and substitute Ryan Coetzee with two tries. Full back Denzo Bruwer was unsuccessful with the conversions.

Reserve league
Wanderers II extended their unbeaten streak with a 23-12 win over Kudu II.
The hosts dominated in the first half and established a 12-point lead. Wanderers returned re-energised and quickly added points in the second half.
The try-scorers for Kudu II were blindside flanker Virgil Bampton and eighthman Jarren Koning. Fly half Benito Bezuidenhoudt converted one of the tries.
Wanderers’ try-scorers were lock Dano Kotze, outside centre Kieron Diergaardt and right wing Elgeno Gamatham. Hooker Dandre Schreuder converted one try and a penalty. Fly half Kenan Walters also converted a penalty.

New record
Wanderers team captain and blindside flanker NG Swart said they didn’t expect the game to be so tough.
“During the first 20 to 30 minutes, it was intense and extremely tough. The boys came together, we stuck to our guns, and saw it through. We were a bit tired being on a bus from 06:00 this morning and Kudu came very hard at us. Our plan is now to work forward, as every game is one step closer to the final and we aim to lift up that cup in September.”
He added that, thus far, Wanderers have won 27 games in total, which is a new record for the club.
“I am very proud of my team. We’ve pushed through, which hasn’t been easy, especially over weekends for the guys to get off work and play, but we’ve shown what we are capable of.”
The Wanderers ladies also walked away with a win against the Kudu Bokkies, pocketing a 24-0 win. Scorers for the game were Euodia Bassingthwaighte (two) and Merilees Govender (two). Ida Visagie converted two tries.