• Rugby

Reho Falcon moves up to fifth with Dolphin win

• 2 Months Ago 14 May 2024

It was more than just a rugby match when the first teams of FNB Reho Falcon and Simonis Storm Dolphin met in the Namibia Rugby Union premier league last Saturday.

Both clubs were playing in honour of the former chairman of Reho Falcon, Ettienne Coetzee and his two sons Edmando (who was Reho Falcon’s first-team captain) and Ethan who perished in an accident on 13 April.

Both teams showcased their intent to impress at Tamariskia Stadium in Swakopmund, with bone-crunching tackles and a fast pace delivering an electrifying encounter.

It was Reho Falcon who walked away with a convincing 42-12 win – a result that pushes them one log position higher into fifth place, surpassing their neighbours FNB Rehoboth, while keeping Dolphin winless after six matches.

Amid the sombre backdrop, Reho Falcon took to the field with a steely determination, channeling their emotions into a powerhouse performance. They unleashed the scoreboard first with a touchdown by flanker Keynnen Basson in the seventh minute, converted by fullback Aston van Wyk.

Dolphins retaliated just four minutes later, as right wing Jennery Xamseb scored a try, which with centre Kenan Walters’ conversion equalized the scores.

The first half ended comfortably in Falcon’s favour (28-12) as the ran away scoring six tries against two.

Keynnen Basson finished with three tries, while tighthead prop Mike Eliaser. Wing Enrique Husselmann as well as number 8 and captain Cameron Markus, an exemplary figure, added to the tally with a standout tries.

Falcon added relentlessly to their tally with five conversions by Aston van Wyk, while replacement scrumhalf Dillon Kahmann added the sixth out of six successful attempts at goal by the Falcon kickers.

Despite a valiant effort, the hosts from Swakopmund could only muster tries by Xamseb and Walters, with the latter also adding a conversion.

Afterwards Cameron Markus, captain of Reho Falcon, expressed profound gratitude to his team mates, attributing their victory to Coetzee's enduring legacy.

“This victory is a testament to Ettienne Coetzee’s vision and passion. Each try scored today was in his honour. Keynnen Basson's outstanding contribution represents the dedication and unity of our team. We will continue to honour his memory in every game we play.”

• In the NRU reserve league, Dolphin’s second team is slightly better positioned following their five-try bonus-point win by 31-17 against Reho Falcon II.

In fact, Dolphin II is now placed sixth out of the nine teams, with Reho Falcon II in eighth position.

• Saturday’s results in the NRU first division: Okahandja Highlanders beat NUST 41-34; Oceans won 18-5 against Sparta; Oranjemund overcame Ocean Swallows, their visitors from Lüderitz, by 28-15.

• Log standings, fixtures, results and news at www.fnbrugby.my.na/