The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
Chile……………………………………………….. (14) 35
Zimbabwe………………………………………… (10) 43
TAVONGA ABLANT once again put up an inspired show as Zimbabwe capped off their participation at the Canada Conference with a 43-35 victory over Chile, at University of Guelph late Tuesday night.
The win saw the Zimbabwe Under-20 team finish second at the four team tournament that also comprised winners, Uruguay, hosts Canada and the winless Chile side.
After the mauling they took at the hands of Uruguay last week, a swift response was exactly what the team needed given that this could probably be the last international assignment for Shaun De Souza’s side for a while.
And how they delivered.
After falling behind the South Americans in the ninth minute, as Chile’s Tomás Álvarado chipped over the line from the base of a ruck, with Manuel Bustamante at a full sprint,
Zimbabwe’s defence was found wanting, and an awkward bounce saw the ball land in the hands of Bustamante for the try.
Fly-half, Damián Fliegel duly converted the try, after which his opposite number, Zimbabwe’s Benjamin Pattenden missed a penalty attempt, as the early goings of the match seemed to go the Chileans’ way.
Fortunately, Ablant, much like he has done throughout the tournament, took matters into his own hands as his pace troubled Chile’s defence for the rest of the match.
On top of a plethora of good runs, the winger scored two tries, while the likes of Marlon Guwuriro, Pattenden, Liberty Sibanda, Carl Kawodza and Tanaka Ndoro each chipped in with a try apiece.
Pattenden made four conversions and a penalty.
Chile’s points came from tries by Bustamante, Juan Noriega, Fliegel and a brace from Ignacio Soublette.
Fliegel also added five conversions and a penalty.
