Zimbabwe speed too much for Canada u20s

Canada’s return to international competition at the under-20 level ended in disappointment as they fell to Zimbabwe by a score of 32-24 at Guelph University on Saturday. The speed of the Junior Sables backline proved a difference, with flying winger Tavonga Ablant leading the way with a hat trick.

There was nowhere to hide for the Canadians in the opening half-hour. Zimbabwe captain Takudzwa Musingwini’s first attempt at the posts rang off the upright, but he would get an easier shot soon after to open the scoring. He would miss another shot before the first breakthrough.

Flyhalf Benjamin Pattenden chipped over the defense and regathered, finding second row Rua Karimazondo in support. He in turn passed to trailing scrumhalf Panashe Zuze who sped away for the finish. Musingwini knocked over the conversion to make it 10-nil to the visitors.

A loose pass in the Canadian midfield went to ground and two quick passes later Ablant was speeding down the left sideline to score in the corner. Just three minutes later a turnover at the breakdown gave right winger Emmanuel Farawu 80 metres to stretch his legs and suddenly the Junior Sables were 20 points to the good.

The Canadians managed to compose themselves and finally got on the board. A kick to the corner put them in scoring position and Relmu Wilson-Valdes picked and dove over from close range. Jamin Hodgkins chipped over the conversion, but would miss a long-range penalty attempt on the stroke of halftime.

It was the home side who came out in better shape to start the second half. More penalties from Zimbabwe conceded territory and Mehdi Porchet bumped off two defenders to score. Next a counter-ruck from Logan Weidner turned over possession, and when Weidner himself was stopped just short Ethan Fryer was on hand to take it the last metre. Hodgkins landed his third conversion and added a penalty for good measure to give Canada a 24-20 lead.

Ablant would get his double as he looped around to his opposite wing. Wide passes from Zuze and Pattenden picked out the winger and he had too much gas for the Canuck defense. The conversion attempt from Pattenden was unsuccessful but the Junior Sables were back in the lead.

A yellow card to Tamuka Kambani for a dangerous tackle put Zimbabwe down a man, but it had little effect as they held up Fryer and cleared their lines. Instead it was Ablant again who had the final word, racing in after Carl Kawodza’s outside back on a first-phase scrum attack. Pattenden’s conversion put the result beyond doubt.

The series continues on Thursday when Zimbabwe take fellow victors Uruguay. Canada will look for redemption against Chile, who lost their opening game against the Teritos.

 

SCORING

CANADA 24
Tries – R. Wilson-Valdes (37′), M. Porchet (50′), E. Fryer (54′)
Cons – J. Hodgkins 3/3 (38′, 51′, 55′)
Pens – J. Hodgkins 1/2 (57′)

ZIMBABWE 32
Tries – P. Zuze (21′), T. Ablant 3 (27′, 60′, 77′), E. Farawu (30′)
Cons – T. Musingwini 1/2 (22′), B. Pattenden 1/3 (78′)
Pens – T. Musingwini 1/3 (6′)
YC – T. Kambani (66′)

 

TEAMS

CANADA u20
1 Mehdi Porchet, 2 David Scollon, 3 Tyler Matchem, 4 Logan Weidner, 5 Alastair Bruce, 6 Mathew Klimchuk, 7 Ethan Fryer, 8 Relmu Wilson-Valdes, 9 Sam Reimer, 10 Jamin Hodgkins, 11 Kobe Faust, 12 Talon McMullin, 13 Liam Bowman (capt.), 14 Takoda McMullin, 15 Ted Champion

Replacements: 16 Michael Di Lella, 17 Payton Teneycke, 18 Ethan Jurgeneit, 19 Caden Wilson, 20 Taine Clague, 21 Adam Doyle, 22 James Biss, 23 Jack East

ZIMBABWE u20
1 Tanaka Ndoro, 2 Marlon Guwuriro, 3 Farai Madzima, 4 Tamuka Kambani, 5 Rua Karimazondo, 6 Denzel Maramba, 7 Andrew Rinomhota, 8 Tanaka Gondomukandapi, 9 Panashe Zuze, 10 Benjamin Pattenden, 11 Tavonga Ablant, 12 Alex Nyamunda, 13 Carl Kawodza, 14 Emmanuel Farawu, 15 Takudzwa Musingwini (capt.)

Replacements: 16 Takunda Mudzingwa, 17 Nqobile Manyara, 18 Martin Hakunavanhu, 19 Muzuva Gutu, 20 Tendai Chinyama, 21 Tanaka Ndabambi, 22 Dion Khumalo, 23 Tariro Tapfuma

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Frank Méndez (Chile)