The NRU Defending champions, FNB Kudus survived a determined second-half comeback from FNB Grootfontein to secure a 48–31 victory in a Namibia Rugby Premier League encounter at Jan Wilken Stadium on Saturday.
Kudus made a fast start, with scrumhalf Ray-Shawn Shoombe crossing for a try within the opening two minutes. Aurelio Plato converted to give the hosts an early 7–0 lead.
The match then took a fiery turn when both teams were reduced to 14 players after Kudus’ Ja-Tamson van der Berg and Grootfontein’s Jakanjomoka BB Ortner were shown red cards following a fight on the playing field.
Grootfontein responded with a try from scrumhalf Johannes du Plessis, although the conversion was missed. Kudus restored their advantage in the 16th minute when Lloyd Jacobs crossed the line, but Plato could not add the conversion, leaving the score at 12–5.
Kudus continued to apply pressure and produced one of the highlights of the first half with a sweeping attacking move that started deep inside their own territory and ended with centre Tonderai Ndudzo scoring in the corner. Plato converted to extend the lead to 19–5.
Grootfontein refused to surrender and responded through captain and hooker Lodewikus Jacobs, who scored following a scrum close to the Kudus try line. The conversion was missed.
Shoombe then grabbed his second try of the match, with Plato converting to put Kudus 26–10 ahead.
The visitors finished the first half strongly, with du Plessis scoring his second try before Franklin Busch converted to reduce the deficit to 26–17 at halftime.
Kudus started the second half with renewed intensity, using their physical strength to break through the Grootfontein defence. Hooker Roberto Lendley scored the hosts’ next try, with Plato adding the conversion to make it 33–17.
Du Plessis completed his hat-trick after the visitors capitalised on an opportunity close to the Kudus posts. Busch converted to bring Grootfontein within nine points at 33–24.
The visitors continued to apply pressure and soon scored another converted try through right wing Alfred Vercuil, with Busch adding the extras to reduce the deficit to just two points at 33–31.
Kudus, however, refused to allow the comeback to derail their afternoon.
Replacement AJ Kerns produced a long-range attacking run from around the 50-metre line before crossing for another try. The conversion was missed, but Kudus regained some breathing room at 38–31.
With the match entering its decisive stages, replacement Roche Jansen van Vuuren added another try in the left corner. The conversion was again unsuccessful, but Kudus extended their lead to 43–31.
Replacement Clayton Camm then sealed the victory with the final try of the match. The conversion was missed, leaving Kudus comfortable 48–31 winners.
The result underlined Kudus’ attacking strength and resilience, particularly during a tense second half in which Grootfontein threatened to overturn the deficit.
The Walvis Bay-based side continues to occupy fourth position on the Premier League log with 44 points from 10 matches, having recorded seven victories and three defeats. Kudus have scored 64 tries and conceded 39.
The victory provides another important boost for Kudus as the Premier League season continues.
By Rudi Bowe
