adminCAPE TOWN. — The Zimbabwe Schools side for the South African Youth Weeks experienced mixed fortunes on Day One with the Under-17 side registering a convincing 41-0 thrashing of Border CD while the girl’s Under-18 side were 20-5 winners over South Western Districts. But the Under-13 side were not so fortunate as to start on a winning note as they fell 25-3 to Griquas.
The Under-18 girl’s sides had to come from behind as they were shaky at the beginning conceding their first try in the 13th minute but they overcame the challenge and made sure they finished on a positive note.
Though they did not have time to warm up prior to the game as there was an opening ceremony, coach Nsikelelo “Sykes” Sibanda’s girls put up a good show. “It was not as I expected. We went into the game without having to warm up but I am glad we managed to come from behind and get the win. There is no such thing as a bad win. The girls did so many things right and that got us the win,” said Sibanda.
With 13 minutes on the clock, Zimbabwe were 5-0 down but made sure the scores were level going into the break as lock Ropafadzo Madya’s try breathed life into their game and it was in the final 20 minutes of the game that they added three more touchdowns. Flyhalf Thubelihle Tshuma, hooker Melinda Tinarwo and centre Delight Mukomondo weighed in with the other three tries.
But all was not well for Gordon Pangeti’s Under-13 side who are taking part in the Craven Week festival as they once against fell at the hands of Griquas — who at half time were leading 17-0.
It was in the second period that the tourists only managed a penalty to add three points to their name while Griquas weighed in an extra eight points. After conceding so many points in the first half, Zimbabwe’s defensive pattern improved in the second period where they showed better skill but the attack was not as sharp failing to breach the Griquas defence.
With six minutes on the clock, Carlo Louw — who scored a total of 10 points that included a try, a penalty and a conversion — was the first to touch down before Henro Nel’s 12th minute converted try and Tiian Pretorius led Griquas to a 17-0 half time lead.
Louw opened the scoring when Griquas decided to go for posts taking a successful penalty to add three more points before Zimbabwe’s Alex Whitfield scored from a spot kick and that was Zimbabwe’s only answer. Last year Zimbabwe lost 7-15 to the same side in their second game of the competition.
Coached by Doug Trivella, the Under-17 side taking part in the Grant Khomo festival were in top form hoping to beat their record of two wins and a draw from last year and they just started their campaign on the right footing. Seven tries, four of them converted were all Zimbabwe needed to show sheer attacking skills that were complimented by sound defence patterns. — sportszone.co.zw
Online Reporter