by Ciarán Duffy
It’s getting to the business end of the competition with two more games in the 5th round of this years competition.
Uganda 24 – 48 Namibia
Namibia continue their march towards retaining the Africa Gold Cup, handing Uganda their first defeat of this years competition. Uganda had lost the first Elgon Cup meeting with Kenya, but only the second one was part of the Gold Cup, which they drew.
Namibia started well but it was the Cranes who took the lead, Asuman Mugerwa touched down, the try was converted by Philip Wokorach. Cliven Loubser kicked Namibia’s first points, they then took the lead with a try from Justin Newman. Wokoroch kicked a penalty to level the game up with 15 minutes gone. Namibia then took control, Damian Stevens and Johan Tromp scoring tries to give the Welwitschias a 22 – 10 lead at halftime.
Namibia extended the lead in the second half, David Philander scored the bonus point try before Justin Newman got his second of the match. Eric Mula and Philip Wokorach scored tries within 2 minutes of each other to cut the deficit to ten points, both tries were converted by Wokorach. Namibia would get two more tries with Niel van Vuuren and Gino Wilson the scorers.
Zimbabwe 22 – 41 Kenya
Kenya remain in contention to lift the trophy they last won in 2013. Darwin Mukidza kicked the Simbas into the lead, but it was Zimbabwe who got the first try, Hilton Mudariki got over the line, the try was converted by Tich Makwanya. The two sides exchanged the lead as Samson Onsomu touched down for Kenya before Takudzwa Kumadiro restored the Sables lead. It was Kenya who were ahead at halftime, David Chenges try was converted by Mukidza to give the Simbas a 12 – 17 lead.
The second half began with Moses Amusala extending Kenyas lead to 12 points with a try. Zimbabwe responded, Makwanya kicked a penalty and Connor Pritchard got a try to put them within 2 points. That would be it for the scoring from Zimbabwe but Kenya weren’t finish, they would extend their lead with tries from Martin Owila and captain Wilson K’Opondo. Mukidza converted both tries and added a penalty to keep Kenya in the hunt for the title
Namibia remain top having taken maximum points from their four games. Kenya are the only other team that can win, they remain 2nd and won’t finish any lower than that. Uganda remain 3rd having played one more game than Zimbabwe in 4th.
The title will be decided next week, here are the scenarios:
- If Namibia avoid defeat they’ll be champions.
- If Kenya win with a bonus point they will be champions.
- If Kenya win and Namibia fail to take more than 1 point from the game, Kenya will be champions.
Table:
Pld
|
Pts
|
GD
| ||
1
|
Namibia
|
4
|
20
|
+170
|
2
|
Kenya
|
4
|
18
|
+129
|
3
|
Uganda
|
4
|
11
|
+38
|
4
|
Zimbabwe
|
3
|
7
|
-12
|
5
|
Senegal
|
4
|
1
|
-128
|
6
|
Tunisia
|
3
|
0
|
-197
|
Next weeks fixtures (Kick off times in Irish time)
Zimbabwe v Tunisia (13:00)
Namibia v Kenya (15:00)
Ciarán Duffy (@TheVoiceDepth) is a Leinster supporter and self-proclaimed ‘big cheese’ of Post To Post (@PostToPostSport). He’ll write about anything rugby under the condition he gets to take it too seriously.
*****
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