Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Zimbabwe Under-20 . . . . . . . . . (13) 28
Sharks Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . (24) 31
MAYBE it was the jitters or simply taking their time to heat up, but the Zimbabwe Under-20 team yesterday left it too late to mount their comeback as the Sharks Academy eked out a close win over the Junior Sables in an otherwise entertaining encounter at Old Georgians Sports Club.
In what is becoming a recurring theme, the hosts started badly, surrendering an 11-point deficit at the half, and only tried to mount a comeback late in the game.
Unfortunately, much like they did in previous defeats to Namibia and Kenya during their Barthes Trophy campaign, the comeback didn’t amount to anything as their opponents held on.
However, there were major improvements in the Junior Sables’ game this time around.
Their only glaring mistake proved to be the “too much respect we gave to our opponents.”
The Sharks found their gear early on, as tries from Debon Damons, Kudakwashe Nyamushaya, and a brace from Cameron Veenstrae thrust them into the driving seat as they led 24-13 at the break.
Brendan Mudzviti, one of three Zimbabweans in the Sharks’ starting 15, chipped in with two conversions.
In response, Zimbabwe could get on the scoreboard through two penalties and a conversion from flyhalf Tinotenda Chinyadza, while only Dean Makweche crossed the try line. The game then turned on its head as the hosts hit back with an early second-half blitz.
Tries by Philip Chimhaka, Emmanuel Magutakuona and another penalty and a conversion from Chinyadza brought the Junior Sables back into the match.
But when the Sharks found another converted try by Gavin Smith late on, the visitors effectively sealed their victory.
After the match, a clearly-exhausted Sharks skipper, Conrad Botha, was quick to give the hosts their due, as they made his charges sweat for the win.
“It was a very enjoyable game,” he said.
“When we came here, we knew it was going to be a challenging match, and the Zim boys really brought it to us.
“They tested our structures, made us run and sweat for every try.
“A big shout-out to them.
“I know they are coming off a really big competition, but for them to come out and play with that intensity and physicality is really impressive.
“It truly has been a privilege to get this opportunity to play against them, and we now look forward to the next game,” he said.
His opposite number, Tafara Dewa, bemoaned his team’s late start yet again.
“I think it was a very good game, but I think we lost it early in the match as the boys appeared to have the jitters.
“They were afraid of the Sharks brand, and we started slow.
“Fortunately, we played a couple of minutes, and we started to gel and play our game.
“We ran out of time at the death there, but we could have actually won had we had a couple more minutes.
“Hopefully, we will be a completely different side in the next match,” he said.
Yesterday’s contest was part of a five-match block for the Zimbabwe Junior Sables, which included three Barthes Trophy matches and two ties against the Sharks Academy.
The teams meet again on Sunday when they play curtain raisers to the Zimbabwe against Zambia match.
