Border U/16 vs Zimbabwe U/16

Recap

Gqeberha, 17 June 2024 – The U16 Grant Khomo Week witnessed another exciting encounter as Border U16 claimed a hard-fought victory over Zimbabwe U16 with a final score of 26-20. The match, held at Grey High School’s B-Field, kept the spectators on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

Match Summary:

• Final Score: Border 26 – 20 Zimbabwe
• Halftime Score: 12 – 8
• Venue: Grey High B-Field
• Date: 17 June 2024
• Competition: U16 Grant Khomo Week 2024

Scoring Breakdown:

For Border U16:

• Likhanyile Mampunye (J #19): 1 try
• Pindokuhle Mdalana (J #20): 1 try
• Ncutu Kepe (J #13): 2 tries
• Liyema Tsoko (J #10): 3 conversions

For Zimbabwe U16:

• Sean Mahere (J #17): 1 try
• Lee Chigumba (J #11): 1 try
• Rukudzo Mayida (J #15): 1 try, 1 conversion, 1 penalty

Match Highlights:

The game started with both teams showing strong defensive and offensive skills. The first half saw Border taking a slight lead with a score of 12-8, setting the stage for an intense second half.

• First Half:
  • Border opened the scoring with a try by Likhanyile Mampunye, converted by Liyema Tsoko.
  • Zimbabwe responded with a try from Sean Mahere, although they missed the conversion.
  • Border extended their lead with a try from Pindokuhle Mdalana, but Zimbabwe kept the pressure on with a penalty by Rukudzo Mayida.
• Second Half:
  • Ncutu Kepe played a pivotal role for Border, scoring two tries that were crucial in maintaining their lead.
  • Zimbabwe’s Lee Chigumba and Rukudzo Mayida kept their team in the game with a try each, but Border’s defense held firm.
  • Liyema Tsoko’s accurate conversions proved to be the difference, as he successfully converted three tries, ensuring Border stayed ahead.

Key Player Movements:

• Border had to make a crucial substitution due to injury, with Sivuyile Mneno coming on for Soyiso Mhleli at the 31-minute mark.
• Zimbabwe’s Larson Rujuwa temporarily left the field due to a blood injury but returned shortly after Kotaro Kinoshita stepped in.

Player of the Match: While the Player of the Match was not officially announced in the provided report, Liyema Tsoko’s exceptional performance with three successful conversions was instrumental in Border’s victory.

The encounter between Border and Zimbabwe showcased the talents and competitive spirit of young rugby players, promising a bright future for both teams. The Grant Khomo Week continues to highlight the high level of skill and dedication in U16 rugby, with more thrilling matches expected in the days to come.