adminMbachi Mutukula-Maregere Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S Young Sables kept alive their hopes of competing in the Junior World Rugby Trophy qualifiers next year after beating Tunisia in the Under-19 Division 1A Confederation of African Rugby tournament in Namibia at the weekend.Zimbabwe, who had lost a crucial semi-final tie to Kenya last week, bounced back on Saturday when they thumped Tunisia 51-21.
The team returned home yesterday with Young Sables coach Sikelelo Sibanda saying he was glad they avoided relegation.
“We played better than we did in the first match, we scored more points but we conceded a lot as well. The good thing is that we are still in the Division 1A so it will make things better for next year’s team because we will still be in contention for the 2016 JWRT.
“Great job by all our players, they played some brilliant rugby and the Tunisians took time to read our strategy, even when they did we were still stronger and better with the ball but they played well because they managed to get a couple of tries.
“We are obviously disappointed to have lost to the Kenyans in the semi-finals. We were very unfortunate not to have tied the game. In the second half the boys gave a spirited performance, however, we had a few decisions that the boys didn’t get right on the field of play that would have changed the outcome of the game,” said Sibanda.
Zimbabwe’s try scorers were prop Farai Mudariki, wing Sean Coles, flanker Shepherd Mhembere, scrumhalf Sean Mwayera, wing Tawanda Ngosi, centre Hugo de la Fargue and substitute scrum half Tinashe Gwigai.
Zimbabwean flyhalf Tafadzwa Mukonyora added one penalty and four conversions for a personal tally of 11 points.
Zimbabwe Squad
Thabani Munjeni (Captain), Farai Mudariki (Vice Captain), Hugo de LaFargue (Vice Captain), Gabriel Sipapate, Tanaka Zimuto, Brian Nyaude, Dlelo Velempini, Ivan Bawden, Shephard Mhembere, Jabulani Mutukwa, Shane Snater, Nyasha Chinorwadza, Sean Coles, Tafadzwa Mukonyora, Sean Mwayera, Tinashe Gwisai, Courtney Archer, Kudakwashe Nhira, Kudakwashe Chipunza, Tawanda Ngosi, Godknows Mawara, Thulani Dhliwayo..
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