Cheetahs qualify for Hong Kong

Sport
TAFADZWA Chitokwindo scored five of Zimbabwe’s seven tries as they routed Tunisia 41-5 in the Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) international Sevens tournament third and fourth place play-offs at Prince Edward School, Harare, yesterday, a result that saw the hosts attaining the core team status for the Hong Kong World Sevens next March.

 

TAFADZWA Chitokwindo scored five of Zimbabwe’s seven tries as they routed Tunisia 41-5 in the Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) international Sevens tournament third and fourth place play-offs at Prince Edward School, Harare, yesterday, a result that saw the hosts attaining the core team status for the Hong Kong World Sevens next March.

HENRY MHARA SPORTS REPORTER

Gardner Nechironga and Graham Kaulback scored the other tries as the Cheetahs ran out comfortable winners.

South Africa’s developmental side Saru Academy won the tournament after overpowering a second string Kenya 38-5 in the finals, a clash of the two sides from Africa already with core status on the IRB World Sevens Series.

TAFADZWA Chitokwindo
TAFADZWA Chitokwindo

While the final match gave the fans many talking points, it was the clash between the Zimbabwe Cheetahs and Tunisia that drew most attention from the partisan crowd.

With the winner of this clash assured of a place at the Hong Kong Sevens, it was the hosts who looked the more determined, as they came from behind to rout the hapless North Africans in the decisive match with Chitokwindo in sizzling form.

Tunisia struck first with an unconverted try in the opening minute.

Zimbabwe quickly responded, and in style too, as Chitokwindo collected an inside ball before using his electric pace to outrun the entire defence on the way to the try line. Boyd Rouse easily converted.

Moments later, Chitokwindo again used his searing pace to good effect when he outran his markers on the left channel to touchdown, a try which Boyd failed to convert.

The Germany-based winger was simply sensational in front of the cheering crowd, as he whistled his way again to touchdown under the bar. Boyd did not make the same mistake as Zimbabwe went to the half-time break comfortably leading 19-5.

Tunisia showed no fight at all and were further pegged back early in the second half when the fleet-footed Chitokwindo raced to dive over in the right hand corner for the fourth try.

He was not done yet, and moments later he completed his try haul with a simple touchdown, getting to an end of a Graham pass with his left boot.rugby

Nechironga and Graham got on to the act too with late tries as Zimbabwe easily booked their place on the high table at the Hong Kong Sevens Rugby championships next year and confirmed what had been a successful international Sevens tournament for the hosts.

Chitokwindo said: “It was a good game for me. As a winger I’m expected to score tries and I scored more than a hat-trick so I’m glad.

“Thanks to my teammates for the great play. We are thrilled that we made it because Hong Kong is the greatest tournament for the Sevens and everyone is looking forward to it.”

He added: “I just want to thank everyone who came out to support us. We had a great tournament in front of a great crowd. I want to thank them for the support, they should keep on coming (to support).

We lost to Kenya which was our biggest let-down of the tournament, but in sport you find disappointments along the way and better luck next time.”

Zimbabwe began their campaign on Saturday with a 29-19 win over Nigeria which they followed up with a narrow 17-19 loss to Kenya in their third mach.

They recovered from that harm to beat Uganda 19-12, before outclassing poor Ivory Coast 55-0. The Cheetahs then beat Namibia 14-7 to qualify for the semifinals where they faced a brilliant South Africa, but performed beyond expectations, only losing the match 12-19.

Chitokwindo and Fortunate Chipendu scored the two tries for Zimbabwe in this match.

Key results Final: South Africa 38–5 Kenya

Third and Fourth play-off: Zimbabwe 41-5 Tunisia

Plate final: Namibia 17-12 Uganda.

Bowl final: Zambia 21-19 Botswana

Seventh and Eighth play-off: Madagascar 47-5 Senegal