The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda in Johannesburg, South Africa
Old Mutual Zimbabwe Under-18. . . . . . . . . . . . (14) 21
Namibia Under-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(31) 45
Old Mutual Zimbabwe Under-18 Academy. . .(14) 24
Namibia Under-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(7) 27
AFTER his side suffered their third loss at the Coca-Cola Craven Week with defeat against Namibia at St Stithians College yesterday, Old Mutual Zimbabwe Under-18 coach Scott Gray took full blame for the team’s poor show at the schoolboy rugby tournament where they lost all their matches.
Speaking after the loss to Namibia, the Zimbabwe born former Scotland international player believes he will not be in charge of the Junior Sables at next year’s Craven Week. Gray’s assertion is that he failed as a coach to get the players to play as a team having spent so much time preparing his lads for the Craven Week. Before the defeat to Namibia, Zimbabwe were beaten 72-17 by Leopards on Tuesday and 34-14 by Eastern Province Country Districts.
“I am very disappointed in myself, please make sure you get that right, I am not disappointed in my players at all I am disappointed with myself. I have failed quite badly in trying to get these boys to play as a team, I have a lot of mistakes,’’ said Gray.
The way Gray spoke seemed like he had already given up on being the Zimbabwe Craven Week coach after just one stint. Gray took over from long serving Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa who had been coach from 2006. He blamed the three defeats to poor defensive patterns and failure to execute the attacking plans he had taught his players.
“I don’t think I will be asked to come back again so I don’t think we need to worry about that, if they were stupid enough to ask me to do it again then I would look at it, try and see how I could have done it better,’’ he said.
Against Namibia, the Junior Sables started off brightly with skipper Jack Charsley going over for the first try of the game after a lovely offload by scrum-half Dillon Brain who went on to add the extra two points with a successful conversion. From there on it was Namibia all over Zimbabwe which saw the Namibians lead 31-14 heading into half-time. In total, Namibia scored six tries, same number of conversions and one penalty goal for a comprehensive victory. First centre Mazvitaishe Nyamarebvu and outstanding number eight Ronald Mirimi scored the other tries for Zimbabwe which were both converted by Brain. For the Basil Dingiswayo coached Academy Week side, they came close against their Namibian counterparts only to lose 27-24.
Old Mutual Zimbabwe Under-18 Craven Week team against Namibia:
Rivaldo Kwidini, Marcus Nicole, Cody Rensburg, Dexter Trail, Davin King, Jack Charsley (captain), Ryan Smith, Ronald Mirimi, Dillon Brain, Leroy Kagodora, Lameck Vheriwa, Lebukgang Mokuele, Tapiwa Marimira, Michael Mhute.
Replacements: Tidawanashe Mabhudhu, Brendan Mudzikitiri, Kudakwashe Mashonga, Prince Mupfurutsa, Simbarashe Chingono, Tinashe Hombiro
Coach: Scott Gray
Assistant coach: Cleopas Makotose
Team manager: Shaun De Souza
Old Mutual Zimbabwe Under-18 Academy Week team against Namibia
Adrian Zivanai, Takudzwa Mutukumira, Takunda Magondo, Alce Melo, Brendon Sibanda, James Owuru, Sean Mupanemunda(captain), Matthew Owuru,Nigel Tinarwo, Taine Roelfsz, Siampunga Sindaza, Anesu Haki, Sean Maenzanise(vice-captain), Takudzwa Siyawamwaya, Takunda Machaya
Replacements: Louis Du Plessis, Kundai Mashingaidze, Brian Chakoma, Thokozani Mrewa, Innocent Mpariwa, Edwin Mutseyekwa, Joshua Allardice
Coach: Basil Dingiswayo
Assistant coach: Tatenda Museba
Team manager: Simbarashe Dangah — @Mdawini_29
