Wanderers crowned 2018 Namibia Rugby Premier League champions

Windhoek-Wanderers Rugby Club were crowned the Namibia Rugby Premier League champions after defeating arch rivals United 30 - 22 in a final, which was surrounded by controversy at the Dr Hage Geingob Stadium on Saturday. A press statement released earlier by the Namibia Rugby Union indicated that the final between Wanderers vs United had been cancelled because of an appeal by UNAM against Wanderers. This caused great confusion within the Rugby community, but the decision was ultimately revised and the game kicked off as planned nonetheless. Supporters for United and Wanderers turned up, but not in the large numbers that were expected to cheer on their teams. Wanderers right wing Rudi Pretorius was first to register his name on the score sheet with an early penalty to his team in the lead. This however did not last, as United hit back with a try through captain Winmar Rust but failed to convert. Wanderers replied with two tries through lock Denzil van Wyk and hooker Stefan Hattingh, which were converted by Pretorius. Flanker Morne Blom crashed over from a maul to add to United's tally and United were awarded a penalty which was easily scored by Rust to bring the half time score to a close margin of 17 - 15 in Wanderers favour. United recuperated and came back aggressive as Rust recorded a second try, which he easily converted to give United a lead of 22 to 17 points. Wanderers however regained the lead as Janry du Toit broke through United's defensive to get his much anticipated try, added by a countless conversion by Pretorious to bring the score to 24 - 22. With the clock ticking Pretorious wasted little time, to score the two penalties awarded to them after United's despair kicked in causing unwanted errors. The final score was Wanderers 30 United 22. This is how the two coaches Vince Dreyer the coach of Wanderers and Trustco United coach Jood Opperman summed up the game. ”United play very well they fought really and gives us hard time, they score a couple of good choice and we just manage to get a couple of good points and penalty at the end and we could execute the game so we are happy to win it’’ Dreyer said. “Wanderers used the opportunity much better than us. I work very hard in a gap plan and United never used the opportunity as we lost now. We came back from behind and we started to fight hard. I tried with substitute to pick up the game, but it did not work. Well done to Wanderers” Opperman said.

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Katrina //Gowases

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Katrina //Gowases