THE Zimbabwe rugby side slumped to their second defeat of the Under-18 Coca Cola Craven Week tournament after letting slip a commanding early lead to go down 51-20 to Eastern Province Country Districts at Paul Roos Gymnasium’s Markotter Stadium, South Africa, yesterday.
BY DANIEL NHAKANISO IN STELLENBOCH, SOUTH AFRICA
Zimbabwe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (20) 20 Eastern PROVINCE . . . . . . .(15) 51
Despite resting seven senior players in line with the competition’s rotation policy, Zimbabwe looked set to register their first win of the tournament after scoring three quick tries to take a commanding 15-0 lead.
However, the Eastern Cape side hit back superbly with seven tries, six conversions and two penalties including a hatrick from tearaway winger Blom Gevanhier while Zimbabwe, who were blanked out in the second half could only manage one more try.
Zimbabwe got off to a dream start with right winger Russell Dinha dotting over the try line in the fifth minute before left by winger Tinotenda Vheriwa doubled their lead three minutes later.
The Old Mutual-sponsored Young Sables were clearly on the ascendency in the early stages with scrum half Ernest Mudzengerere, who crossed over the whitewash for the third try in the 13th minute constantly providing quick balls to the backs.
Zimbabwe could have been further ahead had it not been for flyhalf Benjamin Meredith’s kicking woes from the kicking tee and they were made to pay as Eastern Province hit back two minutes later with a try from left wing Grant Dixie to reduce the deficit to 15-5.
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Eastern Province would come within two points of Zimbabwe after a converted try from hatrick hero Gavanhier but Murambiwa’s charges continued to fight hard which allowed flank Stuart Dodington to crash over the team’s fourth try of the match in the 22nd minute.
Eastern Province Country Districts’ flyhalf Antony Dakin converted a penalty in the 26th minute to take his team within five points of Zimbabwe at the break.
Having matched their opponents in the first half, Zimbabwe were totally outplayed after the break conceding 36 unanswered points.
Gevanhier completed his brace early in the second half with Dakin slotting home the conversion to give his side the lead for the first time in the match on 22-20.
Another penalty by Dakin in the 54th minute followed by a conversion to center Joshua Niewouldt took Eastern Province’s lead to 12 points.
Gevanhier completed his hatrick in the 63rd minute to kill off the match as a contest before a further two converted tries by Chulu Chutu and Grant Dixie in the final five minutes sealed Zimbabwe’s fate.
Zimbabwe play their last match of the tournament against Namibia tomorrow.
Scorers: Zimbabwe: Tries: Dinha, Vheriwa, Mudzengerere, Marriott-Dodington Eastern Province Country Districts: Tries: Dixie 2, Blom 3, Nieuwoudt, Chutu Conversions: Dakin 5 Penalties: Dakin 2 Teams Zimbabwe: 15. Martin Mangongo, 14. Russell Dinha, 13. Shingirai Katsvere, 12. Jordan Zietsman, 11. Tinotenda Vheriwa, 10. Benjamin Meredith, 9. Ernest Mudzengere, 8. Aiden Burnett, 7. Cuan Zeederberg, 6. Stuart Dodington, 5. Tinashe Muchena 4. Kevin Chisango, 3. Cleopas Kundiona, 2. Tinotenda Masasanure, 1 Kenny Liam Replacements: Akim Sibanda, Brian Muntanga, Samuel Garnett, Levi Fargnoli, Sam Phiri, Tarisai Mapfumo, Campbell Nyakudya Eastern Province Country Districts: 15 Athenkosi Halom, 14 Gevanhier Blom, 13 Sibabalwe Mzanywa, 12 Joshua Nieuwoudt, 11 Xolile Mdlokovana, 10 Geoffrey Dakin, 9 Xander Stotter, 8 Pieter Swanepoel, 7 Luyolo Tshongweni, 6 Herman du Plessis, 5 Jason Lizamore, 4 Janse Roux, 3 MC van Damme, 2 Michiel Uys, 1 Thembinkosi Mangwana Replacements: Wihan Ferreira, Ewan Pieters, Mike van Brede, Renier Pretorius, Khanyisa Tshuni, Grant Dixie, Chulu Chutu
