adminThe Lions, clearly bigger in size, also combined their physical advantage and pace to ensure the Zimbabweans saw very little of the ball in the encounter.
Lions man of the match Tristan Dullisear opened the scoring when he touched down in the sixth minute before Muzilikazi Manyaike followed suit with a brilliant try that took the scores to 10-0.
Davan du Plessis, Jason Freeman, Franco Schutte and Thuso Diale then each scored a try to ensure the South Africans were smiling at the end of Day One of the tournament. The lions were in full control of the ball never left a gap for the smaller in size Zimbabwe and by half time they registered a 22-0 score line.
In the second half Zimbabwe seemed tried to come back with a better run in the field but it was to let for them and it was the lions in action when they scored another try.
Dullisear who grabbed another try in the dying stages of the match was happy with the man of the match award that he got.
“I am very happy and I believe I deserved it to be the man of the match. I have worked so hard to get into our squad for this festival,’’ said Dullisear.
Zimbabwe’s Anotida Munyonga, Mufaro Chareka and Milton Kachecha tried in vain to help their team stage a fight back but each time the Lions quickly overpowered them. The
Zimbabwe Under-14 coach Bryan Radimeyer feels his team lacked in confidence in the first half of the match.
“The boys were lacking confidence in the first half although the second half was better but it was too late for them so we are still hoping that they will improve in their next game,’’ Radimeyer said.
South African teams ensured that the visiting teams would not walk away with a point as Namibia were also handed a defeat by Mpumalanga who beat them 17-0 and Dylan Pretorius was the man of the match.
In another encounters Borders beat Free State 28-17 while SWD and Valke recorded a draw 0-0.
Zimbabwe Under-14 team:
Roland Mirimi, Victor Matarise, Tinotenda Mwanza, Bradley Nenzou, Simon Sharwood, Tadiwa Nyagano, Sean Moyo, Milton Kachecha, Joshua Allardice, Tabonga Ngonyamo, Alfred Chawonza, Anotida Munyonga, Mufaro Chareka, Takunda Mkaratigwa, Hilton Mambo, Robert Jameson, Kumbi Nyevendzanai, Brandon Muvagi, Philip Madzinga, Tristan Evans, Justin Hammond, Liam England.
Manager: Tan Dinhidza
Coach: Bryan Radimeyer
Assistant coach:Orlando Fernandes.
Online Reporter