Wanderers triumphant in three finals

Andrew Poolman
FNB Wanderers delivered the most dominant performance in a Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) premier league final in many years when they beat FNB University of Namibia (Unam) 51-31 on Saturday.

Inspired by a clinical player-of-the-match display by fly half André van der Berg, Wanderers dismantled the challenge of the student team in the second half, after only leading by a 23-17 margin at half-time.

Van der Berg, along with his scrumhalf partner Jacques Theron and full back Denzo Bruwer, dictated the territorial kicking game to keep Unam pinned back, while the Wanderers forwards also maintained constant pressure in the tight phases.

Bruwer opened the scoring with a penalty from within his own half, while tries were scored by left wing Nico Maartens, right wing Nandivatu Karuuombe (two), centre Louis Meyer and replacement prop Iyambo Tshuuya.

Van der Berg made a decisive contribution of 23 points through five penalties and four conversions. With only one failure with a conversion attempt, he maintained a nine out of 10 success rate off the kicking tee, while also sending one drop goal attempt wide of the posts.

For Unam, full back Aljarreau Zaahl scored an intercept try in the 53rd minute, along with four conversions and a penalty. Centre Darryl Wellman concluded an impressive season by scoring a try in each half, while scrumhalf JC Winkler also wriggled his way over for a try from close range.



Reserve league

The NRU 2022 finals provided a historic day for Wanderers when their second team also regained the reserve league title, beating a stubborn Rehoboth II by 31-30.

Wanderers were leading 12-10 at half-time and ended up scoring five tries by centre Corne Esterhuizen, wing Isaiah Muhinda, hooker Dandre Schreuder, prop Renard Hattingh and a penalty. Esterhuizen added two conversions.

Rehoboth’s brand of all-out attacking rugby gained the respect of everyone watching. The Red Bulls scored tries through centre Nando Dentlinger, flank Keynnen Basson and lock Max Anderson, while flank Salvador Visagie kept the score running with three conversions and three penalties.



Women's final

The NRU’s women’s fifteens league concluded with a one-sided final won 29-0 by FNB Wanderers against FNB Rehoboth.

The winning team’s try scorers were wing Chrissy Bassingthwaighte (2), centre Suné Wittmann and replacement fly half Yanneke Lawrence. Conversions were added by Bassingthwaighte (one) and prop Waerny Haindongo (three).



First division

Meanwhile, Walvis Bay-based Sparta proudly retained their title with a 30-20 win over Ocean Swallows from Lüderitz.