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NewsDay

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Japan snatch late winner in cruel end for Zimbabwe

Sport
The national Under-20 rugby team opened their campaign at the ongoing Junior World Rugby Trophy in Salt Lake City, Utah in the US on a losing note after going down 39-36 to Japan at Murray Rugby Park on Monday night. Japan overcame a late second half rally by Zimbabwe with a try from reserve fullback […]

The national Under-20 rugby team opened their campaign at the ongoing Junior World Rugby Trophy in Salt Lake City, Utah in the US on a losing note after going down 39-36 to Japan at Murray Rugby Park on Monday night.

Japan overcame a late second half rally by Zimbabwe with a try from reserve fullback Yutaro Murai in the final seconds.

Zimbabwe used their size advantage to gain early advantage in the scrums and set up scoring opportunities.

Skipper Sean Linfield capitalised on a knock on from the Japan centre to score under the sticks before easily slotting over the conversion to make it 7-0.

Japan drew level with a converted try of their own from Rikiya Matsuda, but the Young Sables regained the lead when Justin Coles hit back with another converted try to make it 14-7.

Japan eventually overcame their slow start and used their speed to take control of the match with three straight successful tries to close out the first half to take a 27-14 lead at halftime.

Japan were first to strike in the second, scoring two tries to take a commanding 34-14 lead.

Dylan Coetzee and Tapiwa Tsomondo stopped the bleeding for Zimbabwe with two crucial tries which Linfield converted to take the scores to 34-28.

The Young Sables got in a position to retake the lead when Tyran Fagan took a one-hand flick pass from Andries Van Heerden and burst down the right line to cut it to 34-33.

The failed conversion from Linfield left Zimbabwe one point adrift.

But Linfield got his chance for redemption when he lined up for a penalty-kick after Japan went off their feet at a tackle and he put it through the uprights to make it 36-34 in the dying stages.

In the end, it was not enough to hold off Japan as Murai found daylight and punched in a try.

Zimbabwe are now in third position with one point and play group leaders Georgia on Friday (8pm Zimbabwean time). Georgia beat Canada 31-17 in their first match.