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CHURCHILL’S Nashua Bulldogs used their pace skill on Saturday evening in their 17-12 victory against the hosts Vryheid High School in their first match at the Nashua Rugby Week in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal Province, in South Africa. The victory means that Churchill will play against the tournament’s defending champions Pionier High School today.
Vryheid had got an early advantage when centre Kyle Xaba broke through tackles leaving him to score the first try, the angle was for the conversion made it difficult for the kick and Devon Aspenden missed.
The sheer grit and aggression proved to be menacing for the Bulldogs who were much smaller than their opponents and frustrations towards the referees calls and handling errors characterised the first half.
Nashua Bulldogs head coach Geoffrey Madhake was disappointed with his charges first half performance and a tough talk at half-time brought the boys back into the game in the last half.
“We played a shoddy game and at the end it was endurance and character that won us the match. We were poor in our ball handling and the things we usually do well. I think it was because of the dew on the surface, but I am happy we have somewhere to build upon in our next match,” said Madhake.
With the hosts tiring, the Bulldogs used their pace to wear the brawny South Africans even more and they took the lead through a Kelvin Chirombo try which was converted by captain Tafadzwa Mukonyora.
Mukonyora extended the lead with a penalty but the hosts came back fighting as Xaba exploited the same defensive weakness and this time the try was converted and they led by two points.
The tenacious Bulldogs got their breakthrough 10 minutes before the end of the match, Newhope Garufu charging down at his own kick in open play after the hosts failed to execute a pass and he scored under the posts.
Joshua Mukurazhizha had the easiest of tasks taking the conversion and the Bulldogs held on to their victory.
Online Reporter