Hong Kong withstand Zimbabwe fight-back to secure first-ever World U20s success and take seventh place

Favourites Samoa are crowned champions after sudden-death extra-time triumph over Spain

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Number eight Pierce Mackinlay-West carries the ball into battle during Hong Kong’s 44-40 victory over Zimbabwe at the World Rugby U20 Trophy in Harare on Sunday. Photos: World Rugby

Published: 3:30am, 2 May 2016Updated: 12:42pm, 5 May 2016

Hong Kong withstood a strong second-half fight-back from Zimbabwe in Harare on Sunday to record their first-ever World Rugby U20 Trophy triumph.

After a first-half “free-for-all” which produced 10 tries and a 44-28 lead in their favour, Hong Kong held on for a pulsating 44-40 win.

Zimbabwe hooker Lebogang Ngwenya opened the scoring after just three minutes, finishing off his own quickly-taken line-out inside the Hong Kong 22.

PICTURE SPECIAL: Our World Rugby U20 Trophy photo gallery

But Hong Kong then reeled off three unanswered tries in the space of six minutes – outside centre James Karton grabbing the first after a fine handling move involving outside backs Matt Worley and James Christie.

Zimbabwe gifted Hong Kong their next try when attempts to run the ball inside their own 22 ended in disaster.

Austin Robertshaw gratefully accepted an easy run-in after a spilled pass and the junior Sables soon found themselves 20-6 in arrears after fly-half Liam Owen also broke through and scored.

Champions Samoa celebrate their 38-32 victory over Spain in the title-decider.

Zimbabwe captain Connor Pritchard led the fight-back with a 15th-minute try, before right winger Sam Phiri showed great footballing skills to regather his own kick ahead before twisting and turning his way out of a tackle to go over in the corner.