adminat the Hong Kong leg of the IRB Sevens Series.
Six converted tries – with two of them in the first half – were all the Australians needed to outpace the Cheetahs.
Tries came from Bernard Foley (two tries), Ed Jenkins, Zack Holmes, John Grant and Lewis Holland who scored a try each.
In the first half it seemed Zimbabwe were going to give Australia a tough time and at the end of the first period, the Cheetahs were trailing 14-0.
Two converted tries by Grant in the first minute and Jenkins in the fifth minute gave Australia the edge and Zimbabwe could not respond.
Having taken instructions from stand in coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba at the break, the Cheetahs looked as if they had got their defensive act together.
It took the Australians three minutes (into the second half) before Bernard Foley planted in the Cheetahs in goal and like all his other conversions Hamish Angus collected the bonus points.
The Cheetahs will have to work hard against a tricky Argentina this afternoon and record a convincing win over Canada in their final Pool F game if they are to realise their dream of making it into the Cup quarter-finals at the end of the day.
Canada pulled a surprise edging Argentina 22-21 in the other Pool F game and Zimbabwe now anchor the table with Australia leading.
On the local scene, Harare Sports Club and Old Hararians will resume their rivalry in a charity match set for Sports Club this afternoon.
With the Old Boys having beaten the Red Lions at last week’s Heineken Rugby Day that also featured Zambia at OH, the game is expected to be explosive.
Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge’s Sports Club will be aiming to start the season on a positive note.
And they can not afford to lose especially in front of their home crowd. Three games have been lined up with the women’s game between Sports Club and Old Hararians opening the day while their respective second string sides will curtain raise for the big match.
The league is expected to kick-off next Saturday and the final pre-season preparation game for the clubs was organised by Sports Club lock Kudakwashe Chisepo and OH flyhalf Tichafara Makwanya.
“We felt that over the past years the rugby family has not been doing much in terms of helping the needy and we came up with the idea of helping our community.
“Entrance for the games will be US$2 or anything higher for donation including clothes, furniture, and utensils that people no longer use for the benefit of Harare Children’s home and Mbare Rugby Academy,” said the towering Chisepo.
Cheetahs Squad
Fortune Chipendo, Jacques Leitao (captain), Njabulo Ndlovu, Manasa Sita, Justin Coles, Graham Kaulback, Tangai Nemadire, Shingi Chiwanga, Gerald Sibanda, Wes Mbanje, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Gardner Nechironga.
Coach: Gilbert Nyamustamba
Manager: Bruce Hobson.
Charity Cup Fixtures: Sports Club Women v Old Hararians Women, Sports Club II v Old Hararians II, Sports Club v Old Hararians
Bongani Ndlovu