ZIMBABWE’S Under-13 rugby team put on an inspired second-half display to record their first win at the Under-13 Craven Week tournament with a hard-fought 31-27 win over Border Country Districts in Durban, South Africa, yesterday.
PORTS REPORTER
Trailing 14-27 at the break, the Old Mutual Young Sables found their rhythm after the break to score 17 unanswered against a strong Border side which had outclassed powerhouses Blue Bulls 52-10 the previous day.
Zimbabwe got their points through tries from man-of-the-match Munashe Chaitezwi, Nataizya Chininga, Rory Plunket, Rukudzo Munyeza and Tanaka Mukanya. Scrumhalf Munyeza converted three of the tries.
Yesterday’s win was Zimbabwe’s first of the tournament after going down 12-36 to Griquas in their opening match on Monday.
The Old Mutual Young Sables matched their opponents in the first half as they went to the break trailing 7-10, but in the second half Griquas showed why they were ranked as one of the pre-tournament favourites with a comfortable 36-12 win.
The Kimberley-based team scored four tries in the second half and proved to be well-drilled with too many skills for Zimbabwe who got their points through two tries by Nataizya Chininga and a conversion by Tawanda Muyeye.
