The Old Mutual Zimbabwe Under-16 rugby side’s brilliant run at the U16 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week was finally brought to an end after they succumbed to a 12-20 defeat to a strong Valke Under-16 side at Paarl Gymnasium in Cape Town yesterday.
BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
Unbeaten in their last four Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week matches dating back to the 22-34 defeat to Namibia in 2014, the Under-16 side went into yesterday’s match in search of a second successive win at this edition after a crushing 41-0 victory over Border Country Districts on Tuesday.
But despite their gutsy performance in the second half, it was not enough to beat a resilient Valke team, who outscored them by four tries to two.
Valke had the first say in the match after running in the opening try of the match in the 10th through centre Alden Deysel before flyhalf Dylan Schwartz slotted home the conversion.
Schwartz further stretched Valke’s lead with a successful penalty eight minutes later, but winger Lameck Vheriwa ensured the Old Mutual Zimbabwe Under-16 side remained within touching distance with an unconverted try just before the break.
Valke dominated the opening minutes of the second half as they applied pressure on attack and their efforts were rewarded with a try in the 40th minute through Wesley Noeth with Schwartz adding the extras.
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Although the Old Mutual Zimbabwe Under-16 side hit back courtesy of a Patrick Chivanga converted try, Valke proved too strong as Schwartz slotted home a late penalty to secure a hard-fought win.
Coached by Doug Trivella, the Under-16 side has been the most consistent of national junior representative sides in the SARU Rugby Youth Weeks festival recording two wins and a draw at last year’s Grant Khomo festival.
