Sables run riot in UAE

Zimpapers Sports Hub

United Arab Emirates…  (3) 22

Zimbabwe . . . .  . . .  . . . . . (36) 62

IT might not have been the most clinical of performances, but still Zimbabwe managed to get the job done in this international rugby friendly encounter.

The Sables kicked off their tour of the United Arab Emirates with an empathic victory over the hosts at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai on Tuesday night.

A hat-trick of the highest calibre by winger Edward Sigauke set the Sables onto a path for their win.

Former Wallabies man Kyle Godwin hardly breaking a sweat on his Zimbabwe debut, was part of the cast planted eight tries on the night in a result that must have charmed coach Piet Benade.

However, most of the Sables weaknesses still continue to haunt then with some handling errors and their failure to manage the game often manifesting.

But Benade or any other coach would tell you that “a win is a win’’.

Yet the Sables got off to a flyer as they started the match, playing with high-intensity and plenty of pace and power.

This helped them to 36-3 half-time score that saw skipper Hilton Mudakiri chipping in with a brace of tries while Godfrey Muzanargwo added his name onto the score sheet with a touchdown of his own.

Zimbabwe also benefitted from being awarded a penalty try while flyhalf Ian Prior contributed nine points off a penalty and three conversions in the opening stanza.

The hosts were also their worst enemies as two of their locks Peter Killian and Riaan Barnard were given yellow cards and sent to the sin bin.

This left their team playing with 13 men for 10 minutes and Zimbabwe ensured they capitalised on that.

UAE’s only points of the opening half came from flyhalf Handre Snetler’s penalty.

In the second half, however, the tables were turned.

It took a little over 20 minutes before Zimbabwe added to their tally, all the while the Sables allowed the hosts to somewhat claw their way back in the game.

During that period when the Sables literally went to sleep, UAE hit back with tries from flanker Epeli Devetawalu, Esekaia Dranibota and a penalty-try of their own.

Snetler chipped in with a conversion

However, the Sables did compose themselves as Sigauke completed his hat-trick with two quick tries while fellow winger Trevor Gurwe and Brendon Mudzekenyedzi also crossed the try-line.

Prior added three more conversions in the second period to finish his tally with a game-high 15 points from the boot.

By the time Godwin came off the bench for his full international debut, the visitors were cruising and their victory was assured.

The former Wallabies did, however, get a few touches of the ball and a few carries.

The Arabs admitted that the Sables had been the better side.

“Credit to Zimbabwe, they played a really good game,” said UAE skipper Matt Mills.

“They came out the blocks really fast and strong.

“We didn’t help our cause by making many errors like missing tackles and conceding many penalties.

“I think we had about six during the first quarter of the game. The two yellow cards also didn’t help,” he said.

Zimbabwe skipper Hilton Mudariki was happy with both the result and the performance.

“It’s all starting to come together now,” he said.

“We had a short break and have had players coming in and out during a few practice matches.

“Now, to play the way we did is really pleasing and I am proud of the guys,” Mudariki said.

On the performance and impact of the two wingers Gurwe and Sigauke, Mudariki expressed happiness with the way they seemed to impact the game.

“They have just graduated from the (Zimbabwe) Under-20 set-up, and they have been playing really, really well.

“We set out to give the ball as often as possible and allow them to express themselves.

“It worked well today,” he said