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Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Under-17 rugby side have stormed into the top three at the Grant Khomo annual festival in South Africa after they won their second game in Pretoria yesterday. The national Under-17 side overpowered Griquas 15-13 on Monday before edging Griquas Country Districts 11-10 yesterday, a performance good enough to see the Zimbabwe youth side move to number three on the current standings. They have pocketed eight points.

Four points from each of their two wins has seen them trail the leaders Blue Bulls and Griffons, who have each collected a bonus point on one of their two wins, by just a point.

Against the Country Districts side yesterday, Zimbabwe were leading 8-0 at half-time and they only managed a penalty in the second half as Griquas CD launched a comeback.

However, it was that penalty by centre Benjamin Meredith that separated the two sides at the end of the game.
Zimbabwe’s points came from a try by back-liner Adriaan Kok and two penalties from Meredith while the hosts responded through two penalties by scrum-half Kylan Griqua and a try by Wian Diergaardt.

Coached by Doug Trivella, who is being assisted by Sebastian Garikai, the schools side dominated the first half.
While the Under-17s are making waves in South Africa, the Zimbabwe Under-18 side will this morning get into their final camp as they prepare for the Under-18 Craven Week festival set for Middelburg next week.

And to start their camp the team, coached by Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa side, will take on the Zimbabwe Under-19 side who are preparing for the Junior Africa Cup set for Namibia next month.

“We ran a lot at the President’s XV, we ran the ball around but our defensive system was not tested,” said Murambiwa.
“Coming out of this game we knew we could run the ball but now we need a challenge for our defence and that is why we have engaged the Under-19s.

“If our defence is not tested to the level I feel they have to, then on Thursday of Friday we might take on St George’s College, as we did last year.”
ZImbabwe Results and Scorers

Day Two (Yesterday)
Griquas CD 10 – 11 Zimbabwe

Scorers
Zimbabwe Tries: Adriaan Kok
Penalties: Benjamin Meredith (two)
Griquas Tries: Wian Diergaardt
Conversions: Kylan Griqua
Penalties: Kylan Griqua

Day One (Monday)
Griquas 13, Zimbabwe 15

Scorers
Zimbabwe Tries: Travis Landing, Nqobisile Ncube, Mufaro Mpisaunga
Griquas Tries: Sergio Kasper, De-An Ackerman
Penalties: Van Zyl Jacobs