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Wanderers crowned Rugby Premier League champions


WINDHOEK: Pioneers Park – based Wanderers Rugby Club clinched the 2024 Namibia Rugby Union Premier League title after defeating UNAM 45 – 20 at the cathedral of Namibian Rugby in Windhoek on Saturday . The two exceptional teams of the season reached the finals after defeating their opponents in the semi – final play – offs a week ago . Wanderers beat Kudus from Walvis Bay , while UNAM overcame Grootfontein to make it to the final . At the Hage Geingob stadium on Saturday , in front of a handful of supporters , Wanderers took an early lead with a try in the second minute of the match , but they missed the conversion . Five minutes later , Denzo Bruwer scored a dropkick , extending Wanderers ‘ lead to 8 – 0 . The team further increased their lead with a penalty , making it 11 – 0 . UNAM , initially struggling on the day was awarded a penalty in the 20th minute but failed to convert it . Shortly afterwards , Aljarreau Zaahl scored a penalty for UNAM , bringing the score to 11 – 3 . Just before halftime , UNAM sc
ored their first try with a brilliant build – up play , exposing the Wanderers ‘ defence for the first time in the match . However , Zaahl missed the conversion , leaving the score at 11 – 8 in favour of Wanderers . As the game approached half time Wanderers had two players sent to the sin bin within a few minutes . UNAM won several scrums , but they were unable to take advantage of them . Despite having players off the field , Wanderers scored a penalty , making the halftime score 14 – 8 . At the start of the second half , UNAM was awarded a penalty , but Zaahl missed the kick . Shortly after , Wanderers went for a try however , UNAM ‘ s strong defence prevented Wanderers from gaining further ground , and only won a penalty which they converted to extend their lead to six points . Wanderers ‘ Danco Burger who returned from the sin bin , scored a try , which was successfully converted by Bruwer . Wanderers who were on a scoring mode once again ran in a try , extending their lead to 31 – 8 . In the final minut
es of the match , UNAM also ran in a try , but Nandi Karuuombe scored two tries for Wanderers which were successfully converted , resulting in a total of 45 points for Wanderers . While UNAM also scored their last try of the match , but the conversion was missed . The try scorers on the day for UNAM were Abraham Ilonga ( flank ), Camlo Martin ( centre ) and Rowan Jansen ( flank ). Aljarreu Zaahl ( full – back ) had one penalty and one conversion . Wanderers ‘ tries were by wings Jurgen Meyer and Nandivatu Karuuombe ( two ); penalty try and by Danco Burger ( centre ). Fly – half Denzo Bruwer kicked three conversions and four penalties

Source: The Namibia News Agency