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Kenya U20 prove no match for Zimbabwe in World U20 5th place

Kenya U20 failed to match Zimbabwe U20 in the fifth-place final played at Nyayo Stadium losing 64-10 to finish sixth in the World Rugby U20 Trophy.

Chipu were keen revenge their April Barthes Cup final loss but started off on a wrong note.

Kenya u20 start slow

Zim did much of the work in the first half and even though they received a red card in the 52nd minute, Kenya could not match their prowess.

The match started off on a high note with both sides testing their opponents resillience. Zimbabwe Junior Sables first break through came in the seventh minute when winger Benoni Nhekairo kicked a loose offload and raced to ground the ball.

Action between Zimbabwe u20 and Uruguay. Photo/KRU
Action between Zimbabwe u20 and Uruguay. Photo/KRU

Tanaka Ndoro added the extras for a 7-0 lead. His penalty attempt minutes later went wide. Minutes later Zimbabwe had a break and scrum-half Simbarashe Manyangarara committed his marker to set up Nhekairo for a try at the corner and Ndoro converted for a 14-0 lead.

Zimbabwe countinued to stretch the lead as centre Tawanda Matipano heavy carry saw him go over for a try that stretched the lead.

Kenya were reduced to 14 following a yellow card and after several carries Zimbabwe scored via lock Tanaka Gondomukandapi from a close range for a converted try.

Zim entered the 30’s when a beautiful passage of saw Ndoro score under the posts for a 33-0 at halftime.

From the break, Zimbabwe landed two converted try and led 47-0.

Faran Juma then trimmed the gap with a penalty that trimmed the gap by three points. A strong surge followed and Zim would lose one man to a red card after a dangerous play by Dion Khumalo.

Kenya U20 vs Hong Kong in World Rugby U20 Trophy. Photo/ KRU
Kenya U20 vs Hong Kong in World Rugby U20 Trophy. Photo/ KRU

Kenya scored immediately through substitute James Tsinalo and it was converted for a lead.

Kenya lost one man to yellow card and Zimbabwe came close before being awarded a penalty try that also saw Andycole Omollo yellowcarded after a maul.

Zimbabwe then hit again after in beautiful fashion landing two tries with subsitute Takudzwa Zvomunyatanaka getting his name of the scoresheet. The two tries were converted for a 64-10.

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