adminTHE Zimbabwe Under-19 rugby side maintained their unbeaten run in the Junior Africa Cup with a big win over Tunisia at Prince Edward School yesterday.
Having beaten Uganda 18-6 in their opening game on Saturday the Young Sables yesterday they upped the tempo in the second half to destroy the tricky Tunisians – thanks to the technical changes that were made to the side.
The North Africans had given Zimbabwe a tough time in the first half.
The Young Sables were leading 5-0 at the break but they came back a spirited side in the second half.
Flanker Farai “Jigga” Jijita was on song coming in with three tries, centre Preston Bryant weighed in with a brace while winger Mclean Muhambi opened the scoring with an unconverted try.
The Young Sables could have registered a bigger win but, just like in their previous game, Zimbabwe were not good with spot kicks and they only managed two conversions off six tries.
“I did not think I was going to score three tries. I was actually surprised when I scored my first try because the game was tight especially in the first half,” said Jijita.
But as the game went on, Jijita – like the rest of the Young Sables’ team – started to gain confidence and was rewarded for his efforts.
“I just happened to be at the right place at the right time but after all this I would like to say the win was all because of teamwork and we listened and stuck to the game plan and played the ball out wide,” added Jijita
Muhambi’s touch down was all that separated the two sides at the break and it seemed the game was heading for another low scoring result as has been the case since the tournament started on Saturday.
However, the Young Sables handed Tunisia their second defeat, in as many games, making sure Zimbabwe remained on course for their third consecutive African title and remain on top of the Pool A standings.
Jijita and centre Bryant were outstanding in the danger zone with good lines of running and precise offloading where necessary.
Bryant was a different player from the usual as he displayed improved running direction and his decision making was admirable, leaving the habit of running across.
Jijita, who showed a lot of confidence, especially after his first try, had composure with the ball and his eye for the gap was wide open.
The game started at a slow pace and there was nothing to brag about in the first period as both sides made a lot of mistakes and missed tackles and Zimbabwe only showed promise when Muhambi scored the opening try.
Zimbabwe were the first on the score board when Muhambi beat three defenders, shrugging two with hand offs to plant in the right corner and give Zimbabwe the lead.
For the second time centre Linfield missed his kick.
The move emanated from the midfield where Preston Bryant and Linfield were controlling the attack, with the Young Sables just inside the Tunisia half, and this was a fine example of good ball distribution and
Muhambi made it look easy out on the wide.
Earlier Linfield had almost the same opportunity and his run for the left corner did not yield the expected result as he was held up by the Tunisia defence who then forced a lineout.
Winger Justin Coles missed a golden opportunity to extend the lead having received a perfect pass just outside the Tunisia 22-metre line but he knocked the ball on following pressure from the Tunisia fullback who was the last man to beat.
The forwards, however, dominated the line outs for the better part of the game, and there were elements of slowness on getting into the rucks and mauls.
However, whatever coach Brighton Chivandire said to his side at the break worked, as they were a changed side in the second half.
Zimbabwe increased the pace and confidence started trickling in having noticed that they could overcome the big Tunisians, making more use of their mobile back line.
They capitalised on most opportunities that came their way to score five tries – two of them converted in the second half
With an option to kick for posts Zimbabwe decided to go for touch and the move resulted in Bryant touching down for his first try and Forrester was good with the kick giving Zimbabwe a 12-point advantage.
In the 49th minute, Zimbabwe came back to haunt the Tunisia defence off a move that was orchestrated by Coles and Jijita placed under the posts to extend the lead.
Two minutes later Jijita was again in the Tunisia in-goal with a five-pointer but this time Forrester managed to get his effort between the posts from the place kick and Zimbabwe took a 24-0 lead.
Tunisia had no answers to the Zimbabwe attack as the back line stood firm with fullback Forrester, the wing pairing of Coles and Muhambi proving strong.
The midfield trio of flyhalf Lenience Tambwera and the centre duo of Bryant and Linfield were dynamic with good ball distribution as Zimbabwe were truly a different side from the one that had played in the first half.
The forwards started to win more of the ball and Tonderai Chigumbura, Jijita and Michael Sinclair were full value on the offensive.
Hooker Matthew Mandioma had no mercy for the opponents with Murray Bryce-Rodgers and lock Joshua Smallbones making the game look easier than what it actually was.
Bryant added another try and before the Zimbabwe faithful had barely finished celebrating, Jijita added another try on the stroke of fulltime.
Zimbabwe
Backs
J. Forrester, M. Muhambi, S. Linfield, P. Bryant, J. Coles, L. Tambwera, McIntosh.
Forwards
T. Ndaba, M Mandiona, M. Bryce Rogers, J. Smallbones, M. Sinclair, F. Jijita, Chigumbura, T. Tsomondo.
Online Reporter