Andrew
Tinashe Kusema
Old Georgians…………………………… (12) 46
Old Hararians………………………………20) 35
A SCINTILLATING second half display, sealed by two exquisite tries from Old Georgians fullback Ryan Mushumhi, put the exclamation mark on what has been an entertaining three weeks of rugby in the Nedbank Rugby Challenge.
Old Georgians have clearly been the more polished side and yesterday they sealed it by winning the inaugural edition of the tournament courtesy of victory over Old Hararians at a packed Machinery Exchange Stadium at Harare Sports Club.
OGs got their tries from scrum-half Carlos Matematema, Vuyani Dhlomo and a brace from the duo of winger Brandon Boshi and Mushumhi, while flyhalf Jerry Jaravaza chipped in with two penalties and five conversions.
In reply, OH could only muster tries from Rufaro Chikwaira, Malvin Nyakuyedzwa and a hat-trick from winger Leonard Takavengwa.
One of the only blemishes of the encounter was in the kicking department with OH’s Tinotenda Savanhu the biggest culprit.
In hindsight, the flyhalf, some might argue, proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Savanhu could only manage a single conversion and penalty before being pulled out of the game deep in the second half.
OH then gave the kicking duties to its rightful owner in Tichafara Makwanya, who chipped in with a penalty and a conversion of his own.
The atrocious kicking aside, OH can hold their heads up high as they did have their moments during the game.
Takavengwa’s hat-trick was impressive, two of which came during their dominance of the first half.
Makwanya also showed glimpses of the kicking and composure that made him one of the most feared fly-halves in the country at the peak of his rugby powers.
However, the day belonged Mushumhi.
With the scores at 18-20 in favour of OH, the OGs fullback scored two of the most impressive tries of the competition. On each occasion, Mushumhi weaved through the opposition’s defence, receiving a standing ovation from both sets of fans.
The tries also exposed OH’s weaknesses, with both coaches going into detail about them after the match.
“You can’t lead in the way we did in the first half, and then suddenly let go like that,” said a clearly disappointed Derek Chiwara, the OH coach.
“What it means is that when we came back for the second half, we allowed them to come at us rather than step our game up.
“OGs then took advantage.
“We conceded some silly tries and made one player (Mushumhi) look great as he was weaving through our players.
“If our basics were right, that player would not have scored as he did.
“Our defence constantly had to rescue mistakes that our forwards would have made”.
His OGs counterpart, Wilson, was of a different opinion.
“I think it was a true final, absolutely fantastic,” said the OGs gaffer.
“Half-time, we were trailing 20-12, and the locker talk was mostly intense with some language we can’t obviously put in the press.
“However, the lads then pitched up and put up an outstanding second half.
“I am very proud.”
Wilson went on to single out Mushumhi for his fantastic tries.
“Ryan (Mushumhi) is an absolute legend, he is a quality player.
“He has international class, in my opinion, and when he gets a good front-foot ball, things always happen with him,” he said.
Online Reporter