Kenya reduce Zim to minnows

Mehluli Sibanda in Harare
Zimbabwe …………………………………………. (15) 15
Kenya ……………………………………………….. (24) 61
ZIMBABWE started off their elite 2016 Africa Cup Rugby Division 1A off to the worst possible start when they were battered by Kenya in what turned out to be a one-sided second half at Police Grounds in Harare yesterday.
Kenya scored an incredible 10 tries, one penalty and four conversions to avenge for the 28-20 defeat they got from Zimbabwe last year. Zimbabwe who failed to score any points in the second half managed two tries, a penalty goal and a conversion, all in the first period.
Sables coach Cyprian Mandenge gave a hint that it could have been worse because the players nearly did not take to the field which was going to be disastrous had that happened. He could not be drawn into revealing the grievances by the players which could have led them not to play against Kenya. Sables players have in the past complained about the way they are treated by the Zimbabwe Rugby Union every time they are on national duty and the issue could be related to that.
“The preps were no preps to talk about, like I said we had situation I am glad the guys eventually took to the field otherwise could have been worse because so we have something to fight for because if the guys had not taken to the field it could have been worse. Not the best result no matter who you take to go on the park national team we need to play with pride but you can tell these guys were prepared. Its something that people are talking about so it would be out of order if I start talking about such things, I will just concentrate on the technical side of it, I think physically we were found wanting, everybody should do their bit, the supporters today did their bit and the players that took to the field also tried their best but we need to fix everything, everything around it,’’ said Mandenge.
Kenya scored the first try of the match with five minutes played, fullback Tony Onyango finding his way through the Zimbabwean defence, right wing Darwin Mukidza with the conversion kick to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.
Zimbabwe were awarded a penalty outside the Kenyan 22-metre line in the seventh minute , flyhalf Lenience Tambwera slotting it in to reduce the deficit down to four points.
A defensive blunder by fullback Tangai Nemadire who allowed the ball to bounce allowed Kenyan second centre David Ambunya to chase down a cross kick to score the second try for the east Africans halfway into the first half, Mukidza sending the conversion kick wide. Kenyan had to endure 10 minutes one man short on the park, when Onyango was yellow carded for not rolling away.
Zimbabwe made that numerical advantage count with their first try coming in the 28th minute, first centre Boyd Rouse going over the line and Tambwera slotting in the conversion to bring down the deficit down to two points.
Zimbabwe were caught napping 10 minutes before the end of the first half when Kenya crossed the whitewash line for the third time, left Dennis Muhanji scoring in the corner but the conversion was missed by Mukidza. Two minute later, Zimbabwe were exposed again, second centre with the fourth five-pointer for the Kenyans after a brilliant run by scrumhalf Edwin Achayo, Mukidza successful with the conversion to give his team a 24-10 lead.
Zimbabwe recorded their second try just before the end of the first half, lock Tapfuma Parirenyatwa bulldozing his way to score only Tambwera to fail to add the extra two points with an unsuccessful conversion.
Kenya stretched their lead two minutes after the break with a penalty goal by Mukidza after Zimbabwe were pinned for not rolling away. Achayo delivered the fifth try for Kenya 10 minutes into the second period, Mukidza missed the conversion. Kenya were having a party with their sixth try of the match coming from Muhanji, the conversion by Mukidza sailing in between the posts put the visitors a 39-15 n front.
Number eight Tony Owour delivered the seventh try for Kenya whose conversion kick was missed by Mukidza. It was Kenya all over Zimbabwe as Muhanji went over for their eight try of the match after 64 minutes, the conversion slotted in by Mukidza for them to lead 51-15. Kenya were not done as yet as replacement forward Dan Sikuta scored their ninth try, Mukidza’s conversion going wide off the posts but the visitors led 56-15.
There was still time for replacement scrumahalf Kelvin Masai to go over the line for the tenth try, Fabian Olando’s missed conversion not counting for much as the Kenyans triumphed convincingly.
Zimbabwe will have to quickly regroup as they take on Uganda at the same venue on 23 July before they travel to Namibia for their last match of the Africa Cup next month. They must beat Uganda because anything other than a win against the east Africans could spell trouble since their chances of winning in Namibia are slim and this could result in them being relegated to the unfashionable Division 1B.