RUTHLESS Sables showed no mercy in the second match of the battle of Zambezi as they beat Zambia 56-03 at the Machinery Exchange Harare Sports Club.
It was a game of two halves. In the first stanza, the visitors frustrated the host, being very physical at the breakdown.
The Sables struggled to secure their own ball in the early exchanges leaving the ball carriers isolated.
Injured flank Blithe Masvere’s absence was intensely felt, especially in the first half.
Zimbabwe drew first blood in the 12th minute when pint-sized right wing Martin Mangongo planted a try in the corner, which was not converted by Hilton Mudariki, who had an off day with the boot.
Zambia, who had matched the Sables pound for pound, quickly cut the deficit within three mins when their flyhalf David Koloko slotted a close-range penalty.
Utility back Shingirai Katsvere, the grandson to Dynamos football legend Edward Katsvere, was playing left wing scoring the host’s second try towards halftime as they went to the breather leading 10-03.
In the second half, the sables emerged with more purpose, and it must have been stern words by the coach Brendan Dawson which did the trick as they upped the tempo and started to recycle the ball much faster. The forwards finally pitched up as they were quick to the breakdown.
Zimbabwe dominated the last 40 minutes scoring eight unanswered tries.
Sables’ inside centre Takudzwa Chieza was a menace to the Zambia defence and causing all sorts of problems with his strong running.
His ball carrying skills reaped huge rewards as he managed to set up a couple of tries.
The red-hot Katsvere seemed as if he was suffering from white line fever as he managed to cross the line three more times in the second half to make it four tries in the match, capping what was a good day at the park.
Skipper Mudariki, Biselele Tshamala, Brendon Mudzekenyedzi all joined in the try fest by scoring a try apiece. Debutant Keith Chiwara scored a brace.
In other matches played earlier, Zimbabwe Under 20 walloped Zambia youth select 65-12 while Zambia senior ladies side completed a double on Zimbabwe with a convincingly 38-17 win.
