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Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa

Mehluli Sibanda in Durban, South Africa
Old Mutual Zimbabwe Under-18 (3) 16
Griquas Country Districts Under-18 (9) 9
AN exceptional last minute try by left wing Peter Davis ensured that the Old Mutual Junior Sables fi nally won a match at the Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week yesterday. Th e victory was achieved over Griquas Country Districts on the Stott Field at Kearsney College in Durban, South Africa. Before yesterday’s win, the Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa-coached Zimbabwe senior schools team had last tasted success at the 2013 edition when they hammered the Limpopo Blue Bulls 43-5 in Polokwane.

After that, the Junior Sables suffered seven straight defeats in the 2014 and 2015 tournaments. With the scores level at 9-9, Zimbabwe won a lineout in their own half. Th e ball found its way to fullback Martin Mangongo who shipped it out to Davis, the lanky Falcon College boy was brave enough to leave the Griquas CD defence for dead to score the only try of the fixture to hand Zimbabwe victory. The Junior Sables got their points through a converted try and three penalty goals while the Griquas managed three penalty goals.

It was a brilliant effort by the Zimbabwean youngsters who put up a sparkling defensive show and were also outstanding during scrum time. Zimbabwe had the lead in the second minute through a second centre Matthew McNab penalty goal, Griquas CD punished for not rolling away during breakdown time.

Th e South Africans made the scores level with a penalty goal booted in by fl yhalf Etienne Le Roux when Zimbabwe were penalised for not rolling away at the breakdown. Le

Roux booted in a second penalty goal from close range in the 22nd minute, Zimbabwe nailed for coming through the side in a ruck. Zimbabwe conceded yet another penalty just before the halft ime break, Le Roux making sure with the boot to give his side a 9-3 halft ime lead.

Zimbabwe came back with a big fi ght in the second half, scrumhalf Connor McMillan losing the ball forward from a quick tap taken penalty with the try line close by but the Junior Sables still had the advantage. From the resultant penalty, McNab reduced the arrears to three points. A minute later Zimbabwe conceded a penalty but Le Roux’s attempt at goal bounced off the posts.

McNab brought Zimbabwe level with a 59th minute penalty in front of the poles to make it 9-9 with 11 minutes left in the match. Zimbabwe were to win it despite being under immense pressure in their own half but they did well to win a lineout and made good use of that with Davis going over the line. McNab converted the try to fi nish the game with 11 points to his name.

Murambiwa was delighted with the win and applauded his boys for the great defensive eff ort during the 70 minutes. He however feels that they their display was not what it should have been because it was not clear what their type of play was.

“We are happy that we have fi nally won. I am sure everybody back home was waiting for the win, so we will take a positive from the win, we will also take a positive from the defensive effort. I thought they were very good in defence, which is always important here to defend the full 70 minutes. Unfortunately for the boys those were the only two positives, from a Zimbabwean perspective we didn’t play as well as we should have been capable of playing in this game in the sense that if you went back and you ask people what pattern, what play Zimbabwe was trying to play it didn’t happen. Th e boys know this. We know this and we are disappointed from that perspective,’’ said Murambiwa.

He commended his lads for the courageous decision to run with the ball from their own half when it would have been easier to boot it out and earn a draw. Skipper Stuart Dodington, named man of the match, said they were feeling great to have fi nally won a match at the Craven Week. Th e loose forward was surprised to have won the most outstanding player award which he believes should have gone to McMillan.

“It’s a great feeling knowing that our rugby is getting into a better section and that Zimbabwe is progressing. I think we didn’t get our rugby to a point where we would like it to be. Today we came out with a lucky win and should on Wednesday pick up a bit,’’ said Dodington. Zimbabwe are next in action tomorrow against opponents which were to be decided last night before they go up against the only other international side, Namibia, on Saturday in their last match of the tournament.

Old Mutual Junior Sables: Desmond Annandale, Tinashe Chaza, Cleopas Kundiona, Daniel Hutchings, Godfrey Magaramombe, Stuart Dodington (captain), Tichaona Hwangwa, Tendekai Chigwendere, Connor McMillan, Benjamin Meredith , Tapiwa Marimira, Matthew McNab, Rodney Sachiti, Peter Davis, Martin Mangongo

Replacements: Marcus Nichole, Simbarashe Maringa, Samuel Garnett, Liam Bennett, Tonderai Chiwambutsa, Jeremy Munyeza, Nqobisile Ncube, Rangarirai Mariwa

Coach: Godwin Murambiwa
Assistant coach: Graham Kaulback
Team manager: Tungamirai Mashungu