It was clear Zambia had planned to overrun the Zimbabweans with a calculated backline display, but the Zimbabweans had other plans for them.
They were technically and tactically the better side, tackling strongly and using a flat defence system that worked wonders for Brendan Dawson’s men. The Sables settled first with a try by young winger Manasah Sita, who defied his diminutive size to finish off a tight forwards exchange in the corner.
Zambia came back strongly, winger John Kabwela touching down a converted try to nose ahead.
But stand-in Sables skipper Norman Mukondiwa finished off after some loose play involving him and flanker Shaun Saywood to reclaim the advantage.
Reserve flanker Prayer Chitenderu scored two minutes after replacing Saywood, leaving the score at 17-7 at the break.
In the second half the Sables absorbed endless Zambian pressure, defending tenaciously for most of the half.
After tiring the Zambia line, the scored two killer tries through Sita and substitute centre Willis Magasa to silence the noisy home crowd.
Both the Zimbabwe Under 21s and women’s sevens sides however lost to the Zambians in earlier curtain-raiser matches.
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News