The Sunday Mail
OUR dream of qualifying for the 2015 IRB Rugby World Cup was shattered away in Russia yesterday.
The Sables lost 15-23 to the Bears in a Repechage semi-final at Krasnoyarsk Stadium.
Zimbabwe were never in the contest, falling behind inside the opening 15 minutes, courtesy of a penalty and two unconverted tries by the home side.
First up was Yuri Kushnarev, who made sure Russia got the best of starts when Zimbabwe conceded a third-minute penalty deep inside their own half.
Kushnarev then turned from hero to villain after he failed to convert Igor Klyuchnikor’s try, the first of the game, five minutes later.
A second try followed for Russia in the 23rd minute when a good break from Vasily Artemyev, inside Zimbabwe’s 22, sent winger Denis Simplikevich through and he touchdown in the corner to make it 13-0.
The Sables would then make their first meaningful contribution of the game minutes later.
Lambert Groenewald capitalised on a napping Russian defence and powered through the middle for a try.
Guy Cronje then had the easiest task of converting the try.
The half ended with the Russian Bears leading 13-7.
The second stanza saw both teams trade momentum, with Zimbabwe reducing the gap courtesy of a Cronje penalty.
Unfortunately, Russia hit back with a Victor Gresev try and another Kushnarev penalty to leave the home side in firm control of the game.
Zimbabwe would have their consolation try of the half at the death when Tafadzwa Chitokwindo received the ball in his own half and raced for the Russia touch line.
