U13s get edge over Zim at Craven Week, then lose to EP

Namibia head coach Brian Titus says he is happy with the character shown during his team’s 16-15 win against Zimbabwe on match-day one of the Under-13 Craven Week in East London on Monday.Michael Mackenzie, lock of Windhoek Affies, scored the only try for the winning team in the first half, while his school mate Gillmer Horn (fullback) kicked the conversion and three penalties. The latter was named player of the match.“We played good percentage rugby and dominated the territorial game. In our first appearance we did pretty well against a Zimbabwe side that really came out in attacking mode. We could have won by a bigger margin if we convert some of our final passes, while we will also look to improve the first line of defence close to the breakdown.”After their win on the opening day, the young NamibiansA factor in the team selections is a new regulation that every player in the squad must have completed a minimum of three halves of rugby by the end of match-day three. Also, tactical substitutions are only allowed in the first half, after which only which only replacements for injured players are permitted.This means that coaches will likely rotate their full match squad during the course of the match.Namibia U13 were pitted to play next against Eastern Province yesterday, but lost 12-17. Prop Benjamin Coetzee (Whk Gymnasium) and wing Charley Mojava (Wilhelm Nortier, Grootfontein) scored tries, with Horn converting one.U16 Grant Khomo WeekIn Pretoria, Namibia began their campaign at this tournament with a 24-32 loss to the Griffons on Monday.In reportedly one of the most open and exciting contests of the day, coach Jan Dames’ team led 17-15 at halftime.“The Free State outfit ran in five tries to Namibia’s three, showing superior attacking edge and composure in key moments. Namibia started fast and looked dangerous throughout, with early tries from flank Zasha Steenkamp (Roots Gymnasium) and Oliver Seager (Whk Gymnasium wing) setting the tone. Cayleb Buys (WHS centre) added a late score to keep them within reach, but missed penalties and pressure at the breakdown proved costly in the final quarter,” NextGenXV.com reported.Fly-half Matthew Raubenheimer (Whk Gym) converted all three and added one penalty.Namibia’s next fixture is today (Wednesday) at 10:20 against the SA Iqhawe team – selected following a previous rugby week of talented players that narrowly did not make the cut in their home provinces. The SA Iqhawe lost 14-50 to Griquas on day one.&bull; Zimbabwe U16 sent a strong message on day one, dispatching Border Country Districts U16 by a staggering 71–3 (halftime 36-3).A clinical, high-tempo display saw the Zimbabweans cross the tryline eleven times, with centre Denzel Nyambo claiming a hat-trick and winger Tafara Gara grabbing a brace. Scrumhalf Gray van der Merwe added 21 points off the tee.

U13s get edge over Zim at Craven Week, then lose to EP

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U13s get edge over Zim at Craven Week, then lose to EP

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