malvernmugadzikwa
Online Reporter
Pitbulls…………………………………………………….. (40) 71
Marondera Talons……………………………………… (3) 13
PITBULLS got their Paramount Garments Under-20 season off to a flyer as the Harare giants put 11 tries past a hapless Marondera Talons at Old Georgians Sports Club on Saturday.
Pitbulls, who are last year’s runners-up, put up an almost perfect display.
The only worry for Geoffrey Madhake’s men was the kicking, as the duo of Tanaka Mupamhadzi and Brendon Gwenzi left as many as six points on the field when they missed three conversions.
“I think we played a weaker side, as far as Marondera Talons are concerned, but I am pleased and happy with my boys’ performance today,” said Madhake.
“We only had about four sessions going into this game and still manage to win convincingly.
“It was not perfect, as the kicking was not up to scratch (missing three kicks), and we certainly have to go back to the drawing board and work on that.
“If you notice, the kicks that we missed were from the corner tries, but we certainly will get better,” he said.
To their credit, Pitbulls did dominate the game on both ends of the field, planting 11 tries and conceding just one.
They got their tries from Takudzwa Tsvakira, Joseph Tumba, Takudzwa Nyamukondiwa, Brandon Muverengwi, Takudzwa Makwevera, Tadiwa Mharadze, Shelton Sakurungo, Gwenzi, Edward Sigauke and a brace from Mupamhadzi.
Mupamhadzi chipped in with five conversions, while Gwenzi added three more.
The Talons found the going tough for large portions of the game as they failed to enter their opponents’ 22 during the first half.
The closest they came was a first-half penalty from Philip Chimhaka on the edge of Pitbulls’ 22-metre line.
They did put up a much-improved second-half display and deserved more than just the converted try by winger Takudzwa Mandiambira.
Chimhaka, of course, converted the try.
Online Reporter