Oranjemund on a roll in NRU //Kharas First Division

Oranjemund Rugby Club is still undefeated early pacesetter in the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) //Kharas First Division, while Sparta United leads the NRU Central/North First Division race.  

Keetmanshoop Rams, Mariental, Oranjemund and Ocean Swallows are competing in the NRU //Kharas First Division and carry the hopes of the region in the competition. Eastern Bulls, NUST, Okahandja Highlanders, Reho Falcon 3 with Oceans and Sparta are competing in the NRU Central/Erongo First League. 

Oranjemund occupies the top spot after two rounds of matches and has collected nine points from two wins. The "Diamond City Boys" scored eight tries, conceded six tries and collected a bonus point in the process. Oranjemund defeated Mariental 20-19 in a nail-biter at home on the Mariental Rugby Field in their last outing. Outside centre Ryan Wurms scored two tries, and fly-half Shaun Farmer added a third try for Oranjemund. Scrum-half Ronald Solomons converted one try and a penalty goal.

A very competitive Mariental side had to make do with 14 men after referee Johan Du Plessis sent their inside-centre Donovan Resandt to the sin bin. Left wing Nico Kapuire and replacements Denilson Clarke and Vincent Louw replied with tries for Mariental. Eightman, Fabien Routh converted one try.   

Focused - “There is still room for improvement and hard work ahead. So far the character and fighting spirit within the team is what’s carrying us. ⁠What makes us gel is the brotherhood within the team and players' willingness to cover positions even though they never played there,” commented coach Hugren Andrews after the match.

Andrews said he expects his players to stay humble, focused and keep working hard. “They must not get carried away by log standings. The season is still long with some tough games ahead. Irrespective of who we play or their form, we have to treat every opponent with respect. The game is not played and won on form but on the field. The team with the most hunger and fighting spirit on the day is going to pull through; therefore, we should remain humble and keep working hard,” he emphasised.  

Strong contenders - A revived Mariental Rugby Club is placed second on the log due to a better points (six) difference over Keetmanshoop RAMS (two points). Both teams registered a win and a loss and collected five points. Mariental scored five tries, conceded four tries and secured a bonus point for their efforts. RAMS scored eight tries, conceded seven tries and also earned a bonus point.  

Keetmanshoop RAMS defeated Ocean Swallows 32-7 in their last outing at Krönlein Stadium and retained the Diego ffoating trophy. Outside-centre Heino Keister, scrum-half Jandre Coetzee, lock Gianno Taliaard, lock Sean-Aimee Pieters and loose-head prop Roberto Cooper scored tries. Fly-half Marc Sauls converted two tries and a penalty goal. Inside centre Alvaro Inkono and blind-side flanker Sakaria Malyenge touched down for Ocean Swallows. Fly-half Jamal Van Wyk converted two tries and a penalty goal. Ocean Swallows is placed at the bottom of the log and have yet to register a win for the season. Swallows scored three tries, conceded seven tries and collected a bonus point. 

NRU Central/North First Division - Sparta has opened up a three-point gap and is placed first with 21 points after four matches played. 

Sparta scored 14 tries, conceded six tries and collected five bonus points. Vipers follows in second position on 18 points (3 wins and 1 defeat). Vikings (11 points, two wins and two defeats) is placed third, followed by Oceans (10 points, two wins and one defeat), Highlanders (6 points, one win and three defeats), Eastern Bulls (on 5 points after incurring a six-point deduction, 2 wins and 2 defeats), NUST (-3 points, 2 defeats) and Reo Falcon 3 (-6 points, three losses) is placed at the bottom of the log.  

Upcoming fixtures: The third round of matches is scheduled for June. NUST will take on Sparta, and Vipers will face Oceans on 6 June in NRU Central/Erongo First League fixtures. Oranjemund will host Ocean Swallows on 13 June. Vipers will play NUST, and Okahandja Highlanders will take on Sparta, Keetmanshoop will travel and challenge Mariental on 27 June. 

The final round of the NRU //Kharas First League matches will take place on 8 August. The eight teams with the highest ranking on the log after the completion of 64 league matches will advance to the quarterfinal round. The quarter-final round matches are scheduled for 29 August. The semi-finals will be played on 12 September and the final on 26 September.