By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –
Ndola 3 Diggers 25
‘MEN at Work’ Diggers were unmatched at the weekend as they began the Zambia Rugby Union (ZRU) Knock Out title defence in style as former champions ‘Powerhouse’ Lusaka suffered shock elimination.
As Diggers was posting an emphatic victory over ‘Killer Bees’ Ndola Wanderers in the preliminary round match played in Ndola, Lusaka were facing elimination in Chililabombwe against League B side, Konkola.
Patrick Mutale inspired the Kitwe giants to the quarter- finals after powering in two tries with Joy Mutale scoring a try while Patrick Chanda and Dean Zulu contributed a penalty each.
Brian Mbalwa was also on target for Diggers making two conversions as Mbaza Kunda scored a penalty for the home side.
Konkola 19 Lusaka 10
Konkola scored three tries from Cosmas Kayula, Teta Mfune, Langa Chizibe as Martin Chisanga could only manage two conversions but it was enough to book a quarter-final spot at the expense of Lusaka, who scored a try through Harawa Adam and a conversion by Jackson Goma.
Kansanshi 8 Nkwazi 60
‘High flying’ Nkwazi remained on course to winning a third trophy of the season after eliminating Kansanshi from contention via a resounding score line away from home.
The police outfit scored four tries through Raymond Chibale, Laston Mukosa, Michael Dube and Charles Male with Laston Mukosa claiming five conversions. Kansanshi’s only try was scored by Mukuka Mutale and a Lemmy Mwasu’s penalty.
KPF 45 Mufulira 7
Kitwe Playing Fields (KPF) hopes of ending the calendar year on a high were kept alive after they thumped Mufulira to storm the last eight in a match that saw the hosts end with one man short.
Benaya Mukwamba’s two tries and five conversions and a try each by Mbola Chambula, Patson Kunda, Ntumba Besa, Carlos Kanyama and Jesse Mazabuka were all KPF needed to see off Mufulira, who scored a try courtesy of Richard Kanyika and a conversion by Benjamin Kakoma.
KPF’s William Mukuka was given marching orders for retaliation on Joseph Chileshe during the game.
Nchanga 3 Eagles 34
Nchanga failed to use home advantage to qualify to the next round as they were booted out of the competition by Green Eagles.
Lombe Kanyanta’s penalty conversion was insufficient for the home side as the visitors proved too strong with Malama Chileshe scoring two tries. Mado Nyirongo and Emmanuel Mawele fired in a try each while Mcleod Chanda scored two penalties and Evans Chewe slotted home four conversions.
Roan 5 Chibuluma 12
Terence Silwimba and Hansen Chilombo scored a try each with two conversions from Kennedy Bwalya as Chibuluma subdued Roan at their home turf in Luanshya to qualify to the next round.
Coach Buuka Ntembe’s men only managed a try that came through Butemwe Koloko.
Green Buffaloes were awarded a walk-over after Prisons failed to travel to Lusaka for the match.