All roads lead to Hartsfield for rugby fiesta

LOCAL rugby giants, Old Miltonians (OMs) and Matabeleland Warriors have set their sights at maintaining their perfect start in the inaugural Archer Clothing Rugby League whose Week Three games are played this afternoon at Hartsfield Grounds.

The seniors tournament is running under the auspices of the Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB).

The two giants won their opening two fixtures and OMs is targeting the scalp of Bulldogs while Warriors are set to face Western Suburbs Panthers.

In their opening match of the league, OMs recorded a 29-10 win over Western Suburbs and followed it up with a 27-10 victory against Highlanders last week.

Warriors in their first match thumped Highlanders 50-6 and last week they continued with their high scoring spree registering a 42-3 win over limping Bulldogs.

Warriors head coach, Ruben Kumpasa said they are looking at maintaining the brilliant start, adding that his charges have gelled well as they have been playing together for some time now.

“We have had a good start to the season and we are looking forward to maintaining our form. Our biggest advantage is that we have a young team that has been playing together for some time, they know each other very well, they can do it on their own,” said Kumpasa.

He also added that they are looking forward to the clash against OMs which is likely to be their last of the first round of fixtures before they move to the second leg of matches.

Some of the Warriors who have been doing well in the field of play include Exaulted Tom, Nqobani Lintini, Tawanda Takawira and an upcoming wing, Bukhosi Nyoni.

OMs gaffer Carrington Busili said everything is in place for their third encounter of the season and believes that the unity in the team has been key to their successful start to the campaign.

“Everything is fine and in line. Togetherness within the club, good preparations and a good season plan has been key to our good performance. We have one goal, to be the best club in the province. The guys are excited and having fun because sport is about having fun, working and pushing hard every day,” said Busili.

OMs boast of talents that include inside centre, Justin Khumalo, outside centre Keith Ngwenya, loose forwards, Daniel Nyathi and Innocent Ncube and also Josiah Borerwa, a utility player.

In other matches that will take place on Saturday, the first game of the day will be between Highlanders Women and Bulldogs Women. The tie will be followed by a clash pitting Warriors Women and Plumtree Queens.

In the men’s competition, Highlanders will be looking to redeem themselves when they go up against the struggling Plumtree Buffaloes.
– @brandon_malvin