Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Paul Munyuki
12 July 2008
Harare — ZIMBABWE'S hopes of repeating their unbeaten feat at the Craven Week rugby festival ended in South Africa on Thursday night when they fell to home side Griquas.
The national Under-18 side fell 15-24 to Griquas.
Zimbabwe had won their first match against Boarder, who they also beat in last year's edition of the festival but they failed to maintain the momentum against Griquas.
Last year, the teenagers were unbeaten in the annual rugby festival where more than 45 teams are taking part.
They also they also beat Namibia for the first time at this age group.
But Thursday coach Godwin Murambiwa and his new crop of teenagers came a cropper against Griquas, who, according to reports from Pretoria, made the most of their opportunities to score a win over a competitive Zimbabwe side.
Griquas flyhalf Johandre van der Walt scored most of his team's points.
The hosts led 11-8 at the break.
Van der Walt scored a try and two penalties while Zimbabwe replied via a try by prop Mnqobi Dhlamini and a penalty by wing Charles Jiji.
A spectacular solo run by Jiji three minutes after the re-start gave Zimbabwe the lead with the wing adding a conversion to move the score to 15-11.
Griquas reclaimed the lead in the 47th minute when hooker Jonathan Africa went over for a try, which was converted by Van der Walt.
The flyhalf added a penalty five minutes later to stretch Griquas' lead to six at 21-15.
Four minutes from time Van der Walt kicked a 50 metre penalty to seal the Griquas' victory.
Zimbabwe will play their third match today but the fixture was yet to be confirmed depending on the strength of the teams that played yesterday.
And they will also be hoping to win this game as they try to finish as one of the top teams at the annual junior rugby showcase.
Meanwhile, Harare Sports Club will travel to Bulawayo where they are expected to take on the provincial side in a move aimed at keeping active the Southern Rugby Football League.
There has not been much activity in the league and Harare Sports Club will also travel with their second string side and the women's sides.
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