adminMehluli Sibanda in Middelburg, South Africa
Zimbabwe Under-18 20-26 Griquas Country Districts
THE Old Mutual Zimbabwe Young Sables suffered their second defeat in a row at the Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, losing by six points to the Griquas Country Districts at the High Technical School Middelburg in Middelburg, South Africa yesterday.
It was a painful loss for the Godwin Murambiwa-coached Young Sables who led for most parts of the game until they conceded a late converted try which allowed Griquas Country Districts to win the match. South African referee Tahla Ntshakaza made some contentious calls which had a big say in the outcome of the match.
Griquas Country Districts scored four tries, three of them converted while Zimbabwe managed three tries, one conversion and one penalty goal.
Zimbabwe were the first to put points on the board with a try with four minutes played wide on the left side of the Griquas defence, skipper Stephen Bhasera going over with Shaun Snyder missing the conversion kick. Three minutes later, number eight Daniel Nyamugama delivered the second set of five points for Zimbabwe, released on the left to score the second try for the Young Sables, Snyder’s boots letting him down again as his conversion kick bounced off the posts and back into the field.
Snyder made no mistake in front of posts with 16 minutes played as he booted in a penalty goal in front of posts to put Zimbabwe 13-0 ahead.
Griquas Country Districts had their first try, lock Cobus Wiese sent through from what looked like a forward pass to score under the posts, flyhalf Coennie Lamprecht with the two extra points from a successful conversion.
Flank Brian Muntanga chipped in with the third try for Zimbabwe, charging down a kick by Lamprecht to score under the posts, Snyder’s conversion kick making it 20-7 to Zimbabwe.
Griquas Country Districts recorded their second try just before the halftime break, Lamprecht putting ball over the line then adding the two extras with a good conversion kick.
A minute after the break, Griquas were awarded a try under controversial circumstances, first centre Dillon Magerman adjudged to have grounded ball in the goal area when Zimbabwean fullback Tarisai Mapfumo appeared to have grounded it first. After lengthy deliberations, the Television Match Official Jason Jaftha awarded a try to Griquas Country Districts with the conversion kick missed by Lamprecht.
Griquas Country Districts missed two opportunities to take the lead for the first time in the match with two missed penalty kicks at goal which went wide off the posts.
The Young Sables were kept in their own half for most of the second half. When they did get the break, winger Tawanda Ngosi knocked on when the ball was offloaded to him by Mapfumo after a fine break by Nyamugama.
Griquas stole the match with two minutes to go, Denvil Joseph with the try when he was allowed running space on the right side which was converted by Lamprecht to hand the win to Griquas Country Districts.
The Young Sables who lost their opening match 54-41 to Eastern Province Country Districts now have two days to prepare for their last match at the Craven Week, against fellow international side Namibia on Saturday.
Zimbabwe Under-18
Ackim Sibanda, Bradley Crause, Stephen Bhasera (captain), Godwin Mangenje, Eli Snyman (vice captain), Brian Muntanga, Cole Bond, Daniel Nyamugama, Ngoni Zinyama, Angus Bruce, Brian Mhuriyengwe, Shaun Snyder, Tapiwa Mazorodze, Tawanda Ngosi, Tarisai Mapfumo. Replacements: Justin Mendelsohn, Lebogang Ngwenya, Tinashe Gonese, Jeffrey Makoni, Campbell Nyakudya, Matthew Ushewokunze, Dean McRoberts.
Coach: Godwin Murambiwa. Assistant coach: Brendon Brider. Team manager: Tungamirai Mashungu.
Online Reporter