Grobler shines in United victory

Namibian centre Du Preez Grobler scored two tries as United beat Wanderers 18-13 in a tough derby at the Wanderers rugby field on March 12.
The victory extended United?s unbeaten run against their traditional rivals to three years. United won last year?s derby 12-9, the teams drew 18-all in 2003, while Wanderers won 13-11 in 2002.
Wanderers immediately took the lead through a 1st minute penalty by flyhalf Abe van der Westhuizen, but barely four minutes later he left the field with an injured knee.
Wanderers applied the early pressure and replacement flyhalf Willie Greeff missed an easy penalty in the 15th minute.
United took the lead seven minutes later when flyhalf Morne Schreuder cut the line and sent Grobler over in the corner. Schreuder?s kick from touch went wide of the posts.
Greeff however soon restored Wanderers? lead with a penalty, although he missed two more kickable attempts.
Just before the break Grobler scored his second try after selling a great dummy on Wanderers? regular flank Wolfie Duvenhage, who was playing in the unaccustomed position of centre. Schreuder added the conversion to put them 12-6 ahead at the break.
United went on the attack after the break and a 46th minute penalty by Schreuder extended their lead to 15-6. Scrumhalf Jurie van Tonder nearly increased their lead after a great break in the 56th minute, but he was tackled a metre from the tryline by Jaco Vermaak.
Another Schreuder penalty in the 62nd minute gave United a comfortable 18-6 lead with time running out.
United however had to dig deep to keep Wanderers out in the final ten minutes, as the home side camped in United?s quarter. Led by their hooker and captain JM Meyer, Wanderers laid siege to United?s tryline, but try as they might, they just couldn?t break down United?s defence.
Deep into injury time Wanderers were finally rewarded when Philip Meyer went over in the corner for a converted try by Jaco Vermaak, but it was too little too late as United held on for the victory.