The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Kusema
Deputy Sports Editor
Zambezi Cheetahs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (19) 36
Spartans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 17
A motivated Cheetahs squad can be a very dangerous team.
That was the story of the day at the Zambezi Sevens Challenge, as the country’s Sevens’ team finally got the better of Botswana-based club Spartans in the main game on the opening day of the competition at Harare Sports Club.
The Spartans, current holders of the trophy, could not find a way to neutralise the Cheetahs’ arsenal, which was full of pace and hard tackling.
Zimbabwe got their tries from a brace by Ryan Musumhi, a penalty try and touch-downs each by Carlos Matematema, Alex Nyamuda and Edward Sigauke.
Musumhi was also precise with the boot, converting four of the tries.
In response, the Spartans got onto the scoreboard through Adrian Bundi, Pride Nyameni and James Vambe.
It was a victory that had been months in the making after the Botswana-based club eliminated the Cheetahs 17-15 on their way to lifting the inaugural edition of the competition earlier this year.
Spartans beat Zambia 26-14 in that final, while Zimbabwe had to settle for bronze after they lost to Zambia’s second-string side 17-10.
The victory over Spartans ensured the Cheetahs ended Day One with a 100 percent record.
Graham Kaulback’s Cheetahs had earlier mauled an Under-20 High-Performance Centre outfit 38-10.
The Cheetahs Academy side were, however, not as clinical as their seniors.
They overcame KFP of Zambia 24-12 but came unstuck against Germany, who beat them 24-10.
Germany, the other unbeaten side from the opening day, accounted for Red Arrows 15-12.
“I think it’s important that we know the role of both teams, as the academy side is sort of our feeder team, and we have new guys coming into the system, so there is bound to be mistakes here and there,” said assistant coach Ricky Chirengende on the academy’s mixed bag of results.
“However, as a technical team, we saw a lot of encouraging signs and some exciting stuff from some of the guys.
“There is potential there.
“The goal now is to keep a steady head, both the Cheetahs and academy side, and do the job tomorrow (today),” he said.
Chirengende was also elated about the win over the Spartans.
“It feels very, very good to get that win.
“Obviously, there are a few guys there (Spartans) who are part of our system, and we are continuously monitoring, which made this game all the more joyous and important to watch.
“The plan is now to win the Zambezi Sevens Challenge going into the all-important second day,” he said.
Results:
Women:
Minerva 40-0 Maroon
Red 5-32 Rocomamas
Rocomamas 34- 5 Maroon
Red 0-50 Minerva
Red 17-12 Maroon
Rocomamas 0-33 Minerva
Men:
Cheetahs Academy 24-12 KPF
Spartans 40-21 Harare Select
Germany 15-12 Red Arrows
Zambezi Cheetahs 38-10 U20 HPC
Red Arrows 26-7 KFP
U20 HPC 5-19 Harare Select
Germany 24-10 Cheetahs Academy
Zambezi Cheetahs 36-17 Spartans
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