Dubai — ZIMBABWE'S Cheetahs blew a chance to grab one of the four pieces of silverware on offer at the Emirates International Rugby Sevens tournament in Dubai when they fell to Wales in the Bowls final on Saturday.

The Cheetahs were hammered 38-7 by Wales in a largely one-sided game at the Sevens Stadium.

New Zealand's beat off the challenge of Samoa in the final winning 24-12 to take an early lead in the IRB Series standings with 24 points.

Samoa with 20 points follow close behind going into the second leg of the IRB series -- the Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens in George -- next weekend.

Reigning World Series champions South Africa relinquished the Dubai title at the quarter-final stage and will and take eight points towards their overall title defence, having lost the Plate final against Australia.

Russia won the Shield in their first Dubai appearance.

But the Cheetahs seeking to impress IRB and convince the international body that they deserve more than just two tournaments in the annual series could not be part of the Dubai podium winners after falling to the Welsh.

The Cheetahs who were later yesterday scheduled to fly out to Dubai on their way to South Africa were no match for the Welsh who planted six tries and converted four of them.

Zimbabwe managed just one converted try courtesy of Tangai Nemadire only managed one converted try courtesy of in a very much.

Jevon Groves, Ifan Evans and Justin Tiperic each weighed in with a try in the first half before Evans score again early in the second half with Alex Cuthbert and Gareth Davies sealing the win for Wales.

Zimbabwe's only try came midway in the first half and Nemadire had the onus of converting his own try.

On their way to the final the Cheetahs beat France 27-24 in the semi final and dismissed hosts Arabian Gulf 28-29 in the quarter-final.

The Cheetahs had finished third in the four-team Pool B after struggling in a group that also had Fiji, Samoa and Scotland.

They managed only a 17-17 draw against Scotland in their opening game.

The brave show against Scotland was easily the Cheetahs best performance in the group games.

Scotland were the first to touch down through David Tait in the first minute but Mike Adamson could not convert the effort.

Zimbabwe replied through a try each by Gardner Nechironga and Wensely Mbanje.

Nemadire could only do justice to one of the two tries, which meant that the Cheetahs led 12-5 at the break.

Scotland, however came back strongly with two tries and it had to take Fortune Chipendo's heroics to salvage a draw for the Cheetahs.

In fact Zimbabwe could have won the game by a narrow margin but Grant Mitchell failed to convert Chipendo's try and hand the Cheetahs a 19-17 victory.

The Cheetahs then found the going tougher against Fiji and fell 31-14.

It was a one-sided affair in the first half as William Ryder caused much of the problems for the Zimbabwe defence scoring 12 points via the two conversions and a try.

First on the scoreboard for Fiji was Emosi Vucago with a try but Ryder missed the conversion.

Fiji were in control of the game by half time having taken a 17-0 lead.

Seremala Buroti added a quick try in the second half for the Pacific Ocean islanders and Ryder converted.

Gerald Sibanda and Mbanje grabbed some consolation tries with Graham Kaulback and Nemadire coverting a try apiece.

There was still time though for Fiji to add another try through Vima Tuldraki which substitute Jiuta Lutumailagi converted.

Samoa showed their intentions of reaching the tournament's final when they handed the Cheetahs their biggest defeat in the Pool games thumping Liam Middleton's men 40-5.

Zimbabwe looked to be holding on against Samoa until Chipendu was substituted, a move that gave Lolo Lui a chance to rip through the Cheetahs defence and score a brace of tries before Pele Toelupe and Taupo Sefo added one each late on.

The Cheetahs will now travel to South Africa looking to do better than just manage a draw in their pool matches.

Cheetahs Squad:

Fortune Chependu, Jacques Leitao (captain), Grant Mitchekks, Mathew Rowe, Graham Kaulback, Daneil Hondo, Alex Ndangana, Slater Ndlovu, Gardner Nechironga, Gerald Sibanda, Tangai Nemadire, Wensely Mbanje