Zim under 20 Rugby Boys Shine in Canada

           By ZimLegends 

Zimbabwe’s U20 rugby team on Saturday trounced their Canadian counterparts 32-24 at the start of the Canadian Conference campaign at the University of Guelph.

It was Zimbabwe who enjoyed the upper hand in the opening exchanges, and they capitalized via a sixth-minute penalty conversion by their captain and full back Takudzwa Musingwini.

The supper charged Zimbabwean boys followed up the action with a try from scrum-half Panashe Zuze, who gathered the ball in his stride and burst through a gap, to ensure the visitors’ lead was 10-0 at the midpoint of the first half.

In the 27th minute, a turnover in midfield saw Zimbabwe regain possession, put it through hands and out to winger Tawonga Ablant, who showcased his immense speed to bypass multiple defenders as he tiptoed down the sideline and in for the try.

The score was soon to be replicated by Emmanuel Farawu on the opposite wing as Zimbabwe extended their lead to 20-0. Canada enjoyed a spell on top just prior to half time and their efforts were rewarded when Wilson-Valdes went over from a pick-and-go with just two minutes on the clock.

Tries from Relmu Wilson-Valdes, Mehdi Porchet and Ethan Fryer, as well as a series of successful conversions from Jamin Hodgkins, gave the Canadian fans in attendance plenty to cheer about as the hosts came back from a 20-0 deficit to lead in the second half, but weren’t enough to ultimately secure the victory.

Canada’s Head Coach Adam Roberts was a disappointed man. “In an international, you can’t spot a team 20 points. The boys fought hard, those 30 minutes in the second half but its game management and these guys have got to learn these lessons.”

The day’s action began with a 27-3 win for Uruguay over Chile before Roberts’ Canadian team took to the field for their tournament opener.

Next up, Canada’s Men’s U20s will take on Chile on Thursday, August 18 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern / 3:30 p.m. Pacific, before closing out the tournament with a match against Uruguay on Tuesday, August 23, also at 6:30 p.m. Eastern / 3:30 p.m. Pacific.