WINDHOEK - It’s signed, sealed and delivered. The boys were finally separated from the men as the curtain came down in the abbreviated Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) MTC Premier League last weekend.

Khomasdal-based outfit FNB Western Suburbs scored 28 unanswered points against the hapless Dolphins in a one-sided clash at Dolphins Park in the coastal town of Swakopmund on Saturday.

The victory propelled Suburbs into joint first place alongside table-toppers United, but the Khomasdal-based side shot to the summit as a result of their superior points difference.

Suburbs now join United, Neo Paints Reho Falcon and Rehoboth Rugby Club in the decisive semifinals of the NRU Premiership for a march towards the coveted league title.

In other decisive matches, the University of Namibia’s (Unam) slim title hopes evaporated into thin air after Reho Falcon narrowly edged out a stubborn Kudus side 7-0 at the notorious ‘House of Pain’ Narraville Stadium in an action packed match in Walvis Bay on Saturday.

Russel van Wyk scored the only try of the low-scoring match, which was goaled by Lariano van Wyk from the resultant conversion, to give the visiting Rehobothers a hard fought win and in the process book their place in the semifinals of the NRU MTC Premier League play-offs.

Elsewhere at the Rehoboth Stadium, hosts Rehoboth Rugby Club found themselves in an uncompromising mood as they ran amok in a match of convenience against Mariental Rugby Club – hammering the under-strength visitors by 88 points to 6 to claim a place in the semifinals.

As much as the hosts tried to turn what was on face value a no-contest into a contest, the visitors had very little to offer in terms of competition and according to reliable sources, they even contemplated throwing in the towel at the break but instead carried on to avoid possible sanctions from the league authorities for bringing the game of rugby into disrepute.

This year’s competition comprised nine teams, but was reduced to one round as opposed to the customary home and away fixtures.

As it stands, local rugby powerhouse Wanderers suffered the ignominy of missing out on the play-offs and the White Stallions will now join the league’s new boys Dolphins, Unam, Kudus and Mariental on the sidelines, while their more illustrious competitors fight it out in the four-team play-offs to determine the overall league champions.