The 2024 Barthes Trophy kicked off on Saturday with two matches being played at the Machinery Exchange Stadium at Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe’s Junior Sables were off to a flying start as they whipped Tunisia 46-21 to pick maximum points. They have five points and a point differential of 25.
Barthes Trophy opener
Zimbabwe quickly took the lead with an early try by Allan Maunga, converted by Benoni Nhakairo, making it 7-3. Tunisia responded with a penalty, narrowing the gap to 7-6. However, Zimbabwe extended their lead with a try by Khowalini Moyo, followed by another unconverted try from Edward Sigauke, bringing the score to 19-6.
Tunisia managed to score a try, but Zimbabwe captain Nhakairo converted a penalty just before halftime, ending the first half with Zimbabwe ahead 22-11.
In the second half, Tunisia closed the gap with a try to make it 22-18. Yet, Zimbabwe’s attacking style shined through as they scored another try, extending their lead to 27-18, with Sigauke scoring his second try, pushing the score to 34-18. Tunisia narrowed the deficit with a penalty, but Zimbabwe sealed the game with a final try by Tanaka Mupamhazi, winning 46-21.
Kenya U20 on the other hand beat Namibia 34-28 to move to five points and point differential of six in the early kick off.
The rugby match between Kenya U20 (Chipu) and Namibia U20 was a thrilling encounter with several momentum swings. Kenya took the lead with a penalty from Patrick Wainaina, but Namibia quickly equalized with a penalty from Petrus Tromp.
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Kenya got their first try through Michael Wamalwa, extending their lead to 8-3, though the conversion attempt by Wainaina missed. The second try for Kenya came from a counter-attack, where Eugene Etale scored and James Olela converted, pushing the lead to 15-3. Tromp added another penalty for Namibia, but Kenya continued to score with a third try by Eugene Ojiambo, who pounced on a loose ball. Despite a missed conversion, Olela added a penalty before halftime, bringing the score to 23-6.
In the second half, Namibia began a strong comeback. Arnold Combrinck’s try narrowed the gap to 23-11, but another penalty by Olela took it to 26-11. Namibia responded with a series of tries, including one in the corner and another from a rolling maul, cutting Kenya’s lead to just one point at 29-28 with two minutes remaining. However, Chipu managed to score a final try just before the full-time whistle, securing a 34-28 victory.
Namibia have two points following the loss while Tunisa have no points. The teams will be back on action on Wednesday with Kenya U20 set to battle Tunisia U20 while Zimbabwe will play Namibia
Barthes Trophy fixtures
Matchday 1 20 April
Kenya 34-28 Namibia 2pm
Zimbabwe 46-21 Tunisia
Matchday 2 24 April Times in EAT
Kenya vs Tunisia 3pm
Zimbabwe vs Namibia 6pm
Matchday 3 Sunday 28
Namibia vs Tunisia 3pm
Zimbabwe vs Kenya 6pm
