EASTERN PROVINCE CD (39) 54 ZIMBABWE U-18 (17) 41
DANIEL NHAKANISO IN MIDDLEBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
ZIMBABWE’s Under-18 rugby side put on a spirited second half performance, but it was not enough as they lost their opening match of the 2014 Coca Cola Craven Week to Eastern Province Country Districts at Middleburg Technical High School.
Eastern Province Country Districts, who ran in five tries in the first half, outscored the Old Mutual Young Sables by seven tries to six.
Winger Matt Ushewokunze led Zimbabwe’s fightback with two second half tries with further tries coming from Tawanda Ngosi (twice), Tinashe Gonese and Brian Mhuriyengwe and Tawanda Ngosi.
Scrumhalf, who was unfortunate to see two conversions coming off the upright post also chipped in with 11 points from four conversions and a penalty. A nervy first half performance saw the Old Mutual Young Sables struggling with their defence as they conceding five unanswered tries in the first half hour of the match while managing just a single penalty.
By the time Zimbabwe got into the grove with two quick tries late into the first half Eastern Province CD was in total control of the match.
The Old Mutual Young Sables struggled to run the ball, being regularly caught out against the speedy Eastern Province CD backline to leak five tries in the first half.
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Zimbabwe, however, refused to give up as they fortuitously managed two tries in the last four minutes of the first half, after capitalising loose balls during broken play.
First Mhuriyengwe picked up on a loose ball after his forwards stole a line-out to run over 60 metres to score a converted try under the posts.
Another Eastern Province CD error gifted Zimbabwe another try when Ngosi picked up the ball well and adding another try under the posts with Nyakudya adding another simple conversion on half time.
In probably their best move of the match Gonese picked up from the base of the ruck after a tap penalty to barge over for the third try which Nyakudya converted.
Zimbabwe however momentarily lost concentration to concede two quick tries but bounced back with two quick tries from Ushewokunze before Ngosi also got his second try of the match with some good work through the midfield.
The Old Mutual Young Sables however failed to complete the comeback, but won some few admirers for their brave fightback in the second half.
Man of the match: EP CD’s back line was potent in the first half with the likes of Bradley Christian and Joshua Shelly dictating play.
For Zimbabwe their pacey wings, Ngosi and Mhuriyengwe got the foreigners going with a special mention going to Zimbabwe’s captain Stephen Bhasera who was instrumental at tighthead.
In the end though, it was the spear head of EP’s attack and their kicker, Cameron Hertz, who was most impressive.
Zimbabwe Under-18 Scorers: Tries: Mhuriyengwe, Ngosi 2, Gonese, Ushewokunze 2 Conversions: Nyakudya 4 Penalties: Nyakudya Scorers: EP Country Districts: Tries: September, Williams, Shelly, Vos, Christian 2, Oosthuizen Conversions: Hertz 5 Penalties: Hertz 3
