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Franchise 10s Rugby kicks off


FRANCHISE rugby kicked off in Namibia over the weekend when the inaugural Windhoek Draught Franchise 10s tournament got underway at the Hage Geingob National Rugby Stadium.

With each of the six teams playing five matches over two days in stifling hot conditions, Team Windhoek Draught and Team DSTV were the early pace setters.

DSTV are the only remaining unbeaten team, but Windhoek Draught went to the top of the log after scoring more tries and consequently obtaining more bonus points.

Windhoek Draught, captained by Jacques Theron got off to a winning start, beating Brand Plan Bisons 27-10 on Saturday morning, but then slipped up to lose 47-37 to DSTV two hours later.

They, however, got back to winning ways when they beat Ucom Mobile 42-20 on Saturday afternoon and by the end of the first day’s play were the joint log leaders, along with Ucom Mobile and DSTV on 13 points each.

Yesterday morning, Windhoek Draught picked up two wins, beating Best Choice Cowboys 56-30, and pipping Gravity Force 29-27 and by the end of the day had taken the sole lead on the log on 24 points from five matches.

Theron impressed with his quick attacks and smooth backline service, while Andre van der Berg was always dangerous, launching numerous counterattacks. Other players like Danco Burger, Darryl Wellmann, Demarcho Hartung and Joe Losper also caught the eye.

Team DSTV are second on the log on 20 points, after four wins and one draw.

On Saturday they kicked off with three successive victories against Gravity Force (34-20), Windhoek Draught (47-37) and Best Choice Cowboys (24-21), before being held to a 34-34 draw by Brand Plan Bisons yesterday morning. DSTV however beat UCom Mobile 34-27 in their final match yesterday to move up to 20 points in second position on the log.

DSTV captain Wicus Jacobs has played a major role in their success, scoring several tries with his bullocking runs, while Cliven Loubser, Ascher Coetzee, Chase Diergaardt and Ryan Coetzee have also been in fine form.

Only two points separate the next three teams on the log, namely Gravity Force on 16, UCom Mobile on 15 and Best Choice Cowboys on 14.

Gravity Force lost their opening two matches on Saturday to DSTV (34-20) and Best Choice Cowboys (48-34), before pipping Brand Plan Bisons 47-45 in their final match on Saturday.

Yesterday, they thumped Ucom Mobile 47-17, before suffering a narrow 29-27 defeat to Windhoek Draught.

Their standout players include their flying winger Shareave Titus who has scored several tries, as well as Sunday Haitembu, Amutenya Amutenya, Reinold Beukes and Eloff du Plessis.

Ucom Mobile got off to a strong start after beating Best Choice Cowboys 42-14 and Brand Plan Bisons 49-20 on Saturday, but they then lost their next three matches in a row, going down 42-20 to Windhoek Draught; 47-17 to Gravity Force, and 34-27 to DSTV.

Their captain Alcino Isaacs, Geraldo Beukes, Oderich Mouton, Johan Luttig and Gino Wilson have all caught the eye.

Best Choice Cowboys beat Gravity Force 48-34, but lost to Ucom Mobile (42-12), DSTV (24-21), Windhoek Draught (56-30) and Brand Plan Bisons (51-24).

Their captain Adriaan Booysen has been in fine form with his powerful runs, scoring several tries, while Obert Nortje, Oela Blaauw, Irongwa Atshivudhi and Aston Mukwilongo have caught the eye.

Brand Plan Bisons are bottom of the log on eight points after drawing one and losing four of their matches. They drew 34-34 against DSTV, but lost to Windhoek Draught (27-10), Ucom Mobile (49-20), Gravity Force (47-45) and Best Choice Cowboys (51-24).

Their captain Thomasau Forbes, Warren Ludwig, Driaan Vorster, Denilo Feris and James Kisting have been in fine form.

The tournament continues with the knockout stages next weekend.





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