Zim Cheetahs fall in Shield semifinals

Sport
THE Cheetahs, Zimbabwe’s rugby side opened up their 2011/12 HSBC IRB World Sevens Series by losing 12-21 to Samoa in the Shield semifinals in Dubai yesterday.

According to reports from Dubai, the Gilbert Nyamutsamba coached side had tries from Justin Coles and Gardner Nechiranga with Tangai “Too Bad” Nemadire converting one of the tries.

Tom  Losefo’s 10 points, Alatasi Tupesu’s seven and four from Taulayi Afamasaga ensued that Samoa cruised to past Zimbabwe who will now come back home with a wooden spoon.

Zimbabwe who also lost to United States 7-41 in the Bowls semi-final had started off very well in the tournament by beating core-team Kenya 21-5 in the pool stages.

The Cheetahs, who were playing in Pool C lost the other pool games 26-0 to France before being hammered 43-0 by defending champions  England.However, their victory over Kenya in the pool stages saw them qualifying for the Bowls semi-final in which they were massacred by the United States.Zimbabwe will be hoping for a better performance at the South Africa Sevens Series.

The Zimbabweans won Shield in George last year and will also be hoping for a better performance at the Nelson Mandela Bay in Port Elizabeth, South Africa from December 9-10.

Last year, the side picked up the Shield medal.

 

— OWN STAFF