Grootfontein dominates Kudus in JSB Cup
Club rugby
Despite being hampered by three yellow cards in the second half, FNB Grootfontein recorded an impressive 53-33 victory against FNB Kudus in a JSB Gold Cup match on Saturday, storming to a rare win at the Jan Wilken Stadium in Walvis Bay.
The visitors, who strengthened their log-leading position, set the tone early with lock Oliver Mouton’s converted try after just five minutes.
The home team retaliated in the eleventh minute to even matters at 7-7 with Lloyd Jacob’s try, after great interplay with wing counterpart Lucio Isaacs.
Grootfontein took full advantage of any gaps in the Kudus’ defensive line, scoring the next three tries by prop Tuhafeni Mayova, fullback Lorenzo Louis and left wing Lasarus Joseph, all converted, pushing their advantage to 28-7 at halftime.
The home team regained composure and scored three tries in a row to level the score at 28-28.
With one more try, Kudus pushed their tally to 33 points for the remainder of the game, while Grootfontein still had energy for three more tries – despite receiving three yellow cards for Oliver Mouton, Pieter Daan Kok and Keno Shetukana.
A memorable late effort was the try initiated by nr 8 Johan Luttig with a long run from a turnover on his own goal-line, before sending wing Lasarus Joseph away to score under the posts.
Grootfontein’s seven tries were scored by wings Joseph (two) and Keno Shetukana, locks Jakanjomoka Ortner and Oliver Mouton, and prop Tuhafeni Mayova (two tries). Conversions were slotted by Joseph, Lorenzo Louis and Franklin Busch (four), who also added two penalties.
For Kudus, the try scorers were Dolano Vries, Michael Koopman, Jarreth Koning, Lloyd Jacobs and Nando Dentlinger, with Koopman converting four of the tries.
'We were outplayed'
Winning team captain Wikus Jacobs gave a shout-out to the home team’s fans.
“I don’t think people understand the impact the home team’s fan base has. They really carried their team. To get a win here is an honour. Our guys really came to the table, and it was an honour to play Kudus.”
On the three yellow cards, Jacobs said at one point they only had 12 players on the field.
“With ‘platteland’ rugby, it’s difficult to get everyone together regularly for training, where fitness and ultimately discipline goes hand in hand. It’s something we have to work on. Still, it’s a great honour to win.”
Kudus’ director of rugby Roger Thompson complimented the leadership of the Grootfontein team.
“Up front, they are definitely a quality team, and that’s why they’re leading the log at the moment. Compliments to their leadership, coaches, and the work they’ve been doing in building that group.
“The team has been playing together since they entered the Premier League and have developed into a strong unit. Kudos to them – they’re now reaping the fruits of hard labour that began years ago ... much like us.”
Thompson remarked that Grootfontein were intentional in how they carried the ball and enforced their style of play.
“Looking at their forward group, man for man, we were outplayed. They bullied our forwards today. We tried to match them physically at times, but we weren’t consistent.
“We attempted to implement a quicker tempo, but our execution wasn’t good enough. We didn’t look after the ball, losing it in contact three or four times right across the try line, which cost us dearly.”
“I must give credit to Grootfontein again – they used their opportunities well, adapted to the wind conditions, and showed determination. We were simply outplayed.”
Unam climbs to second
At Rehoboth, FNB Unam also added the full six log points with a 46-28 win against FNB Rehoboth, to climb up to second spot currently.
Coach Russel van Rooi’s Unam team’s seven tries were scored by centres Alcino Izaacs (2) and Raschano van Rooi, wing Shareave Titus, scrumhalf Cejay Coetzee and replacement back Don Juan Beukes (2). Kick duties were shared between fly-half Delron Brandt (three conversions, one penalty) and Van Rooi (one conversion).
Unam conceded two yellow cards, as Brandt and Titus spent time in the sin bin.
The Red Bulls earned no log points, since they only scored three tries – by scrumhalf Jason Farmer and wings Sakeus Thomas and Digo Ashipala, of which Miquel Busch converted two. Denver Beukes (fly-half) landed three penalties.
• In Windhoek, the match between Trustco United Rugby Club and FNB Wanderers Rugby Club was postponed to be played on the Wednesday evening of 03 September at the former's Gemsbok Park in Olympia.
• Results, log standings and upcoming fixtures at www.fnbrugby.my.na/
JSB Women’s Cup
Unam Steenbokkies delivered another dominant performance on their way to a 75-0 away win against Rehoboth Bokkies.
Star fullback Ivone Kooper contributed three tries and one conversion. More tries were added by centre Ellen Garoes (2), fly-half Alicia Gertze, flank Emilyn Marais, lock Letisha Matheus and replacements Elzane-Lee Basson and Michelle Slinger and a penalty try. Conversions were shared between nr 8 Mandy Hansen (4) and Slinger (4).
• At United field, the Wanderers Bokkies won 22-10 against United Gemsbokkies, after leading 17-0 at halftime.
The visitors, who strengthened their log-leading position, set the tone early with lock Oliver Mouton’s converted try after just five minutes.
The home team retaliated in the eleventh minute to even matters at 7-7 with Lloyd Jacob’s try, after great interplay with wing counterpart Lucio Isaacs.
Grootfontein took full advantage of any gaps in the Kudus’ defensive line, scoring the next three tries by prop Tuhafeni Mayova, fullback Lorenzo Louis and left wing Lasarus Joseph, all converted, pushing their advantage to 28-7 at halftime.
The home team regained composure and scored three tries in a row to level the score at 28-28.
With one more try, Kudus pushed their tally to 33 points for the remainder of the game, while Grootfontein still had energy for three more tries – despite receiving three yellow cards for Oliver Mouton, Pieter Daan Kok and Keno Shetukana.
A memorable late effort was the try initiated by nr 8 Johan Luttig with a long run from a turnover on his own goal-line, before sending wing Lasarus Joseph away to score under the posts.
Grootfontein’s seven tries were scored by wings Joseph (two) and Keno Shetukana, locks Jakanjomoka Ortner and Oliver Mouton, and prop Tuhafeni Mayova (two tries). Conversions were slotted by Joseph, Lorenzo Louis and Franklin Busch (four), who also added two penalties.
For Kudus, the try scorers were Dolano Vries, Michael Koopman, Jarreth Koning, Lloyd Jacobs and Nando Dentlinger, with Koopman converting four of the tries.
'We were outplayed'
Winning team captain Wikus Jacobs gave a shout-out to the home team’s fans.
“I don’t think people understand the impact the home team’s fan base has. They really carried their team. To get a win here is an honour. Our guys really came to the table, and it was an honour to play Kudus.”
On the three yellow cards, Jacobs said at one point they only had 12 players on the field.
“With ‘platteland’ rugby, it’s difficult to get everyone together regularly for training, where fitness and ultimately discipline goes hand in hand. It’s something we have to work on. Still, it’s a great honour to win.”
Kudus’ director of rugby Roger Thompson complimented the leadership of the Grootfontein team.
“Up front, they are definitely a quality team, and that’s why they’re leading the log at the moment. Compliments to their leadership, coaches, and the work they’ve been doing in building that group.
“The team has been playing together since they entered the Premier League and have developed into a strong unit. Kudos to them – they’re now reaping the fruits of hard labour that began years ago ... much like us.”
Thompson remarked that Grootfontein were intentional in how they carried the ball and enforced their style of play.
“Looking at their forward group, man for man, we were outplayed. They bullied our forwards today. We tried to match them physically at times, but we weren’t consistent.
“We attempted to implement a quicker tempo, but our execution wasn’t good enough. We didn’t look after the ball, losing it in contact three or four times right across the try line, which cost us dearly.”
“I must give credit to Grootfontein again – they used their opportunities well, adapted to the wind conditions, and showed determination. We were simply outplayed.”
Unam climbs to second
At Rehoboth, FNB Unam also added the full six log points with a 46-28 win against FNB Rehoboth, to climb up to second spot currently.
Coach Russel van Rooi’s Unam team’s seven tries were scored by centres Alcino Izaacs (2) and Raschano van Rooi, wing Shareave Titus, scrumhalf Cejay Coetzee and replacement back Don Juan Beukes (2). Kick duties were shared between fly-half Delron Brandt (three conversions, one penalty) and Van Rooi (one conversion).
Unam conceded two yellow cards, as Brandt and Titus spent time in the sin bin.
The Red Bulls earned no log points, since they only scored three tries – by scrumhalf Jason Farmer and wings Sakeus Thomas and Digo Ashipala, of which Miquel Busch converted two. Denver Beukes (fly-half) landed three penalties.
• In Windhoek, the match between Trustco United Rugby Club and FNB Wanderers Rugby Club was postponed to be played on the Wednesday evening of 03 September at the former's Gemsbok Park in Olympia.
• Results, log standings and upcoming fixtures at www.fnbrugby.my.na/
JSB Women’s Cup
Unam Steenbokkies delivered another dominant performance on their way to a 75-0 away win against Rehoboth Bokkies.
Star fullback Ivone Kooper contributed three tries and one conversion. More tries were added by centre Ellen Garoes (2), fly-half Alicia Gertze, flank Emilyn Marais, lock Letisha Matheus and replacements Elzane-Lee Basson and Michelle Slinger and a penalty try. Conversions were shared between nr 8 Mandy Hansen (4) and Slinger (4).
• At United field, the Wanderers Bokkies won 22-10 against United Gemsbokkies, after leading 17-0 at halftime.
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