adminThe Cheetahs needed to finish among the top three teams if they were to make is as a core member but their dream was shattered by the Russians who proved too strong for Gilbert Nyamutsamba’s men.
According to reports from London, Russia needed four tries, three of them converted to beat Zimbabwe but the Cheetahs only managed to respond via a Tangai Nemadire converted try which had no impact on the Russians.
By half-time, Russia was leading 14-0 following a brace of tries from Victor Gresev towards the end of the second minute and Dmitriy Perov had no problems taking the bonus points off the spot kick.
Gresev returned to haunt the Cheetahs in the last minute of the first half before Perov’s boot came to extend the lead.
Early in the second half, Ilya Babaev’s try was converted by Perov as Russia took a 21-0 lead before second half substitute Tapiwa Tsomondo replied with Zimbabwe’s only try and Nemadire added the bonus points and that was the last time Zimbabwe found the Russia in goal.
But just a minute after Tsomondo’s try, Vasily Artemyev scored the last try of the game as substitute Alex Yanyuskin missed the conversion but that was minimal as they had already caused enough damage to move on and deny Zimbabwe a chance to rub shoulders with the world best teams.
Zimbabwe had finished second in Pool A after losing one game to Scotland who were 21-14 victors in the first game of the tournament.
The Cheetahs were leading 14-7 at half time against Scotland but a string of errors and wasted chances saw the Scots seize the initiative and they took ove the lead in the second period.
But the Cheetahs gathered themselves back to win the next two games, first coming from behind to beat Hong Kong 12-7 with second half tries from Kilvan Magunje and Tafadzwa Chitokwindo while Nemadire added one conversion in response to a Ben Rimene self-converted try.
Their final group game was against Georgia who they beat 19-14 having maintained their lead from their half time break in which they led 12-7.
Chitokwindo was the first on the score sheet with a second minute try that Nemadire’s boot accurately sent through.
Nemadire added his own try midway through the first half but he failed to make use of the conversion before Merab Sharikidze’s try was converted by Shavleg Mkharashvili in response.
In the second half, Magunge added another five-pointer again supported by Nemadire but it was towards the end of the game that Gardner Nechironga’s ill discipline coasted Zimbabwe a try after he was yellow carded.
And in the last minute Tornike Tsertsvadze reduced Georgia’s arrears while Giorgi Pruidze made the two point count from his boot.
The Cheetahs’ next big assignment is the World Cup set for June in Moscow, Russia.
Cheetahs Squad: Jacques Leitao (c), Fortune Chipendu, Daniel Hondo, Gardner Nechironga, Njabulo Ndlovu, Lucky Sithole, Wensley Mbanje, Japhet Ndebele, Tangai Nemadire, Tapiwa Tsomondo, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Kilvan Magunje
Coach: Gilbert Nyamutsamba
Manager: Bruce Hobson
Physio: Sophia Stevens
leeroy