Cavaliers thrash Zim Academy

The Boland Cavaliers thrashed the visiting Zimbabwe Academy 52-16 (halftime 26-6) in their SuperSport Rugby Challenge match at the Boland Stadium in Wellington on Saturday afternoon.

The Cavaliers were riding high after their 43-28 victory over the SWD Eagles while the men from Zimbabwe had struggled against Toyota Free State XV, going down 66-10.

The match had an extra importance for the home-team as 24-year old utility forward Kenan Cronje was making his 50th appearance for the Cavaliers.

It had been less than two minutes before referee Quintin Immelman awarded the visitors a penalty and flyhalf Brendon Mandivenga, who was wearing the captain's armband, slotted the attempt to open the scoring.

The reply from the Cavaliers was swift with outside centre Michaine Fick and winger Shilton van Wyk going over for tries, with pivot Garrick Mattheus converting both to make it 14-3 after just 15 minutes.

The last scoring act of the frantic opening quarter saw Mandivenga kick another penalty to make it 14-6.

The game settled down some before flanker Thurlow Marsh went over for an unconverted try and the Cavaliers wrapped up the try-scoring bonus-point when inside centre Jordan Holgate dotted down.

FINAL NAIL IN THE COFFIN

Mattheus kicked his third conversion of the game and at 26-6 the home team were in total control of the match.

A try by Zimbabwe replacement front-row Royal Mwale slightly narrowed the gap but when Holgate grabbed his brace the writing was on the wall and the Cavaliers were looking to increase their points differential and keep pressure on the other leading teams in the South Section.

Cavaliers flanker Tapiwa Tsomondo, who is a Sevens International for Zimbabwe, must have had some mixed emotions as he scored his try against his fellow countrymen.

Fick, not to be outdone by his centre partner Holgate, also dotted down for his second try with the conversion being kicked by the replacement back Gavern Skippers.

Mandivenga scored a consolation try for Zimbabwe before winger Valentino Wellman added the final nail in the coffin with a try, which was converted by the veteran fullback Monty Dumond to make it 52-16 at the end of the match.

Boland next host neighbours DHL Western Province in Robertson while Zimbabwe Academy host Eastern Province in Worcester.

The Cavaliers will want to keep the pressure on the log-leading WP while Zimbabwe Academy are still searching for their first victory of the campaign.

SCORERS:

BOLAND CAVALIERS Tries: Michaine Fick (2), Shilton van Wyk, Thurlow Marsh, Jordan Holgate (2), Tapiwa Tsomondo, Valentino Wellman; Conversions: Garrick Mattheus (4), Gavern Skippers, Monty Dumond

ZIMBABWE ACADEMY Tries: Royal Mwale, Brendon Mandivenga; Penalties: Brendon Mandivenga (2)