Zambia win “Battle of the Zambezi”

Zambia celebrate their 2-0 series win

In the first game on Zimbabwe gain an early advantage after just two minutes. Zambia failed to clear a deep Zimbabwean kick-off, attempting to run the ball from virtually their own tryline. They were soon turned over ad the ball worked to Zimbabwe centre Mukamondo who opened the scoring.

Both sides began to rack up penalties, with Zambia gaining most as a series of infringements allowed them to gain ground until, eight minutes in, a great step by Zambian flyhalf Margret Kasonka opened allowed her to cut through a wrong-footed Zimbabwe defence and score by the posts, the try converted by prop Martha Banda.

A Zimbabwe yellow card for their flyhalf Munodaani for a deliberate knock-on put them under great pressure before Zambian captain Natasha Musonda added a second try shortly after, crashing through the Zimbabwean line, giving Zambia a 12-5 lead.

As the game neared the break, however, Zimbabwe began to wrest the initiative and Rumbidzai Chigumbu levelled the scores after a long period of pressure. 12-12.

But from the final play before the whistle Musonda added her second try for Zambia, allowing the visitors to go into the break with a 19-12 lead.

Early in the second half a try from Shirley Mwaami extended the Zambian lead with a quick tapped penalty, Zimbabwe being caught out. Another great kick from Banda extended the Zambia lead to 26-12.

Zimbabwe struck back again from a 5m scrum, flanker Chigumbu breaking away to find space and score, cutting the Zambian lead to 26-17.

A misdirected kick to touch from Zimbabwe allowed Zambia to counter-attack, Melody Habukau scoring after a 50m sprint down the touchline.

Zimbabwe ended  the game with try of the game, Chigumbu ending a great move against some tired legs, narrowing the final score to a 31-22 for Zambia.

GAME 1 (2ndJune)

Zimbabwe XV:1. Andfle Sharmaine Moyo 2. Patience Harubereki 3. Megan Cormie 4. Munashe J. Kudzunga 5. Faith Mhungira 6. Nyashadzashe Gonamombe 7. Rumbidzai Liliosa Chigumbu 8. Leanne Leah Tarja M. 9. Constance Ngwende 10. Tarren Munodaani 11. Erika Rumbithai Mock 12. Delight Danai Mukamondo 13. Rularo Tagarira 14. Robyn K.A. Mhembere 15. Kudzanai Chirinda 16. Maxine Mufambisi 17. Kudzai Matematema 18. Mellisa Ndlovu 19. Trish Kandemiri 20. Hazel Chidununu 21. Gladys Mukome 22. Chioniso Emelt. Mabika 23. Lindiwe Munerenyu

Zambia XV:1 Martha Banda 2 Shirley Mwaami 3 Natasha Musonda (C) 4 Rennie Suzi Wilma 5 Gladys Kabamba 6 Nina Chishimba 7 Elizabeth Chibomba 8 Sitembile Kasawala 9 Carolmtonga 10 Margret Kasonka 11 Leah Mbukwa 12 Rebeca Phiri 13 Jane Malise 14 Lillian Mukosha 15 Veronica Nambela

16. Loveness Nambela 17 Susan Kampamba 18. Melody Habukau 19. Mumba Chipasha 20. Juuet Mwamba 21. Mervis Pwenu 22. Thelma Kasonde 23. Martha Musonda

Three days later the same two teams met again. Zimbabwe again started strong, but this time it was Zambia who got the first score, Juliet Mwamba breaking several tackles to score under the posts. 7-0 to the visitors.

Zimbabwe soon pulled level (during a break in the video feed) and there was no other score in the first half the teams going in at 7-7.

A Zimbabwean knock-on at the restart put them under pressure which finally resulted in a Zambian from captain Musonda, the visitors regaining the lead at 14-7. The l ead was extended on 52 minutes when Zimbabwe gave away a series of penalties, including a crucial failure to retire 10m which brought Zambia close to their line, a great run from Elizabeth Chibomba catching Zimbabwe on the wrong foot to extend the lead to 19-7.

Zimbabwe pulled three points back from a penalty, but Zambia were soon on the attack again, some good handling ending with a try from Melody Habukau. 24-10 to Zambia.

The hosts were not finished however, and captain Leanne Max smashed through the Zambian line from a penalty 10m out to narrow the score to 24-17 to Zambia.

But a superb show-and-go from Zambia’s captain Natasha Musonda soon returned the lead to a two try advantage before a Zambia were awarded a penalty try at the end in a curious incident when Zimbabwe were penalised after Musonda appeared to have the ball kicked out of her hand as she attempted to put the ball down.

Zimbabwe had a try disallowed from the final play, leaving the final score as a deserved 38-17 win for Zambia.

GAME 2 (5thJune)

Zimbabwe XV:1 Leanne Tarja Max 2 Patience Harubereki 3 Mellisa Ndlovu 4 Munashe J. Kudzunga 5 Faith Mhungim 6 Loyce Mawere 7 Nyashadzashe Gonamombe 8 Rumbidzai Liliosa Chigumbu 9 Constance Ngwende 10 Tarren Munodaani 11 Stella Chikore 12 Delight Danai Mukamondo 13 Carol Malenga 14 Gwendoline Sithole 15 Tanaka Kanyepi 16 Mrudne Mufambisi 17 Andile Shartruline Moyo 18 Nokuthaba Mzizi 19 Hazel Dzuranyama 20 Trish Kanderi 21 Jestina Ncube 22 Rufaro Tagarira 23 Pauline Sianga

Zambia XV:1. Natasha Musonda 2. Shirley Mwam i 3. Martha Banda 4. Rennie Anna Suzi Wilim a 5. Gladys Kabamba 6. Nina Chishimba 7. Elizabeth Bwalya Chibomba 8. Sitembile Kasawala 9. Juliet Mwamba 10. Margret Kasonka 11. Leah Mbukwa 12. Jane Malise 13. Rabbeca Phiri 14. Lilian Musonda Mukosha 15. Veronica Lungu 16. Loveness Nambela 17 Susan Kampamba 18. Melody Habukau 19. Melody Habukali 20. Mevis Pwemu 21. Thelma Kasonde 22. Carol Mtonga 23. Martha Musonda Coach: John Chibamba