From the opening whistle, Zambia set the tone. Their backline moved with lightning speed, stretching the Looseheadz defence, while their forwards brought relentless physicality at the breakdown. Just ten minutes into the contest, Zambia were already in front, surging to a 10-0 lead with two tries that underlined both their strength and attacking flair.
Looseheadz worked tirelessly to disrupt Zambia’s rhythm, competing strongly at the set piece and forcing turnovers. Yet, Zambia’s ability to recycle possession quickly and hit wide channels kept them on the front foot. The early exchanges made it clear that the African side were intent on dictating proceedings.
Midway through the first half, the game was halted due to lightning in the area, with officials rightly prioritising player and spectator safety. After a 30-minute pause, the contest resumed, and if anything, the break seemed only to recharge Zambia’s intensity.
Resuming play with an electric energy, Zambia tore through the Looseheadz defence almost immediately. Their attack combined raw pace with sharp handling, and the scoreboard ticked over at speed. Within minutes of the restart, Zambia had extended their lead to 41-0, seemingly unphased by the disruption.
To their credit, Vodafone Looseheadz found a moment of resurgence. A well-worked phase of play saw them stretch Zambia’s defensive line and dive over in the corner for a deserved try. Though the conversion was missed, it was a reward for their persistence and a reminder of their attacking capability.
But Zambia were quick to respond. Almost immediately, they launched a sweeping counterattack that went the length of the field, finishing beneath the posts to restore their dominance. The conversion was added, and momentum was firmly back with the home side.
From there, Zambia continued to pile on the pressure. Their attacking patterns were ruthless—powerful runs through the middle combined with expansive play out wide. Looseheadz, though spirited, were unable to stem the flow of points. Successive tries pushed the scoreline beyond reach, Zambia’s confidence growing with every attacking move.
At 60-5, with the match firmly in Zambia’s control, the weather once again threatened proceedings. Thunder and lightning returned, forcing officials to make the decision to call the game early for safety reasons. At that point, Zambia had already crossed again to round out the score at 67-5, sealing their semi-final triumph in emphatic fashion.
For Zambia, it was a performance that demonstrated both flair and discipline. Their pace and strength were the decisive factors, and they will enter the Challenge Cup final brimming with confidence. For Vodafone Looseheadz, the result may sting, but their resilience and determination—particularly in responding with a try of their own—was testament to their character.
Despite the weather interruptions, the semi-final provided an exciting spectacle. Ultimately, Zambia were simply too powerful, too fast, and too clinical, and they now march on to the Challenge Cup final as worthy contenders.
Photos (c) Alligin Photography
