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Mehluli Sibanda in Bulawayo
Zimbabwe ……………………..(17) 30
Kenya ……………………….. (17) 29
ZIMBABWE remained unbeaten in the Victoria Cup rugby competition after yet another victory, this time against Kenya at Hartsfield yesterday.
Skipper Hilton Mudariki was once again in magnificent form with the boot, contributing 15 points of the 30 scored by the Sables, who have now picked up three wins.
In fact, the Sables captain never missed any of the five shots he took at goal, while the Kenyan kickers were not as accurate.
But it was a tight contest which could have gone either way as shown by the teams’ half-time score.
The match was played in front of a small but appreciative crowd, with the Minister of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan Judith Ncube, among others, in attendance as the Sables slayed the Simbas.
It was the first time for Zimbabwe to beat Kenya since their last 28-20 victory at Prince Edward’s Jubilee Field in 2015.
Since then, Kenya had won all the three meetings between the two teams, twice on Zimbabwean soil and once in their backyard.
Mudariki was delighted to deliver a win for Zimbabwe.
“I am at a loss for words. I am so proud of my guys. This brings some bit of joy to the people of Zimbabwe, it means so much to me and my team. I am thrilled about the win,’’ Mudariki said.
Mudariki feels that they actually kept Kenya in the game through their own inaccuracies, most of which were not induced by the opponents.
“That game was very scrappy. ln terms of our standards we know that wasn’t the best game, we kept them in the game, we could have shut the game quite early but a lot of mistakes, a lot of unforced errors, kept them in the game. So we will go back, we will enjoy the win tonight but we will go back, watch the video and see where we can improve,’’ he said.
Sables coach Brendan was overjoyed to beat Kenya, especially considering that the Kenyans have dominated Zimbabwe since 2016.
“lt’s a big relief, a lot of weight is off my shoulders. I am very chuffed to have won the game,” Dawson said
Zimbabwe were the first to score after four minutes when wing Takudzwa Kumadiro touched down after a beautiful offload by outside centre Shingirai Katsvere.
Mudariki converted with the Zimbabwean skipper making it 10-0 shortly after that with a penalty goal.
Kenya hit back with an unconverted try by flank Munate Akuei who ran through half the length of the field after intercepting the ball.
Prop David Makanda gave Zimbabwe their second try of the match off some clever thinking by flyhalf Dudlee White-Sharpley who executed a cross kick for the front rower to gather and plant the ball over the line.
Mudariki was precise with the boot again.
Fullback Anthony Odhiambo chipped in with the second try for the Simbas, whose conversion kick was missed by Jacob Ojee.
Akue had his second try, the third for his team just before the break, with the conversion booted in by Charles Kuka this time around.
Kenya were the first to score in the second half, with number eight Elkeas Musonye finding the gap in the Zimbabwean defence but Kuka was unsuccessful with the kick.
Sables vice-captain Biselele Tshamala crossed the whitewash after being fed by hooker Keith Murray and Mudariki ensured Zimbabwe went two points ahead.
Centre Johnstone Mungau restored Kenya’s lead with a try that was converted by Odhiambo.
Zimbabwe were dominant in the scrum and from there, they earned two penalties that eventually won it for them with Mudariki kicking in both set pieces.
Online Reporter