Zimpapers Logo

Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
FLY-HALF Lenience Tambwera’s absence in the Cheetahs side that failed to qualify as a World Sevens Series core member was felt in the Zimbabwe side following a heart-breaking 19-22 loss at the hands of Russia on Sunday.

According to Cheetahs, coach Daniel Hondo, his South African employees, Valke, could not release him due to “club commitments”.

Tambwera has grown to be one of the best fly-halfs ever to come out of Zimbabwe.

His great vision enables his teammates to see various options.

And it was largely the kicking skill that Zimbabwe were not gifted with and this was felt at a bad time when Zimbabwe were leading Russia 19-17 in the final.

Scrummy Hilton Mudariki had the honours to kick-off, his kick was deep enough as it went just into the Russia 22-metre area but it was not high enough as it lacked fly time and this was an advantage to Russia.

Before Zimbabwe could close down on them, Russia had already, through long passes, drifted the ball into space and away from the Cheetahs who were concentrated on the right side of the Russian attack.

Russia had the pleasure of playing around with the ball inside their 22-metre area and this shows how much Zimbabwe had not closed in and also tells the acres of space and time they had before they struck the killer blow.

Ostroushko moved to the left where he dummied and this created space between Kilvan Magunje and Riaan O’Neill, Mudariki did not have the pace to catch up with the try scorer as he outpaced four Zimbabwean defenders in a 70-metre run that broke Zimbabwe’s hearts.

The Cheetahs are expected back home this afternoon and their next assignment will be in the All-Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.