Craven Week: Namibia start well
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Namibia started their Under-18 Craven Week campaign with a convincing 38-14 win over Border Country Districts on Day One.
The opening 25 minutes between the two teams was a competitive affair with both teams crossing the whitewash after some great running rugby for a 7-7 score line. Namibia then took the game by the scruff of the neck in the 30th minute when they scored their second try through Chad Plato, which was converted to give them a 14-7 lead by the 30th minute.
Namibia closed out the first half the stronger of the two teams with their scrum particularly dominant against the Eastern Cape side. They almost increased their lead just before half-time, but lost possession at a crucial moment at a ruck five metres from the Border CD tryline.
Namibia staring the second half like a house on fire with their backline cutting the Border CD to pieces. It was only some desperate tackling in their own 22 that allowed Border CD to keep Namibia out. Flyhalf Cliven Loubser had opportunity to increase the lead in the 40th minute with a penalty, but his kick was wide and short.
Border CD then came back into the game after a breakout try from their own 22 after a turnover. Some quick passing saw outside centre Josh Armstrong get the ball to sprint in for the score for a 14-14 score line.
The comeback was short-lived for the Eastern Cape team as once again the Namibian backline was at their dangerous best. The ball found its way to Plato from the scrum and the wing beat two defenders to score is second try of the game for a 19-14 lead.
The game then descended into a scrappy affair for a lengthy period before Tobie van Zyl found some space out wide to score his team's fourth try after the Namibians capitalised on a Border CD mistake. Namibia put the game to bed in 65th minute when Tristan Mouton gathered a grubber kick before bashing his way over for his team's fifth try.
Namibia were not done yet and continued to close out the game the stronger of the two teams. Van Zyl got his second for his team after another superb grubber. Loubser converted to put his team 22 points clear and a convincing victory.
Man of the match: Cliven Loubser
Scorers:
For Namibia:
Tries: Groenewald, Plato 2, Van Zyl 2, Mouton
Cons: Loubser 4
For Border CD:
Tries: Bovu, Armstrong,
Cons: Plaatjies 2
Teams:
Namibia: 15 Andre van der Berg, 14 Tobie Van Zyl, 13 Tristan Mouton, 12 Brandon Groenewald, 11 Chad Plato, 10 Cliven Loubser, 9 Jay-C Olivier, 8 Riaan De Klerk, 7 TK Katjivi, 6 Christiaan Ras, 5 Lebeau Du Preez, 4 Johannes Poggenpoel (captain), 3 Daniel Joubert, 2 Darius Von Solms, 1 Jano Rieckert.
Replacements: 16 Stefan Hattingh, 17 Nelius Theron, 18 Norman Erasmus, 19 Prince Gaoseb, 20 Armondo Van Wyk, 21 Alastair Miller, 22 Marco de Vos.
Border CD: 15 Asishandile Mrubata, 14 Ntando Mfengu, 13 Josh Armstrong, 13 Josh Armstrong, 11 Enrico Bokwe, 10 Brandt Fields, 9 Alrich Plaatjies, 8 Sonwabo Jwacu, 7 Kanye Mamve, 6 Hano Jacobs, 5 Sinoxolo Valela, 4 Phumzile Maqondwana, 3 Soyama Ngceke, 2 Philela Mabandla, 1 Stormer Snelling.
Replacements: 16 Sonwabise Batyi, 17 Piwe Dumalisile, 18 Sibusiso Gwenxana, 19 Kanyisa Salaze, 20 Aviwe Mancotywa, 21 Thabo Dlebedlebe, 22 Ayanda Mvimbi.
Referee: Ricus van der Hoven
Assistant referees: Oregopotse Rametsi, Jaco Pretorius
TMO: Stephan Geldenhuys
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