adminaction resumed last weekend with games also being played at Harare Sports Club on Friday night.
There was a sizeable crowd at Sports Club that has seen the NRL administration moving some of the games from the traditional Saturday afternoons to Friday night.
Last week the games were only played under floodlights because most of the match officials were also scheduled to officiate at the Junior Africa Cup at Prince Edward School the following day.
But that seemed to have proved a blessing in disguise as the night games proved an instant hit with the local rugby fraternity with a good crowd turning up at the venue.
Now the NRL president, Noddy Kanyangarara, and Harare Sports Club administrators want the night matches to be a regular feature with the club also offering full bar and catering facilities.
“We had our first Friday night games last week and there was a good turnout and we will have another fixture like that again on Friday when Sports Club take on Old Hararians.
“It will be good if we have such turnouts for our games but it is unfortunate that we only have one such venue at the moment,” said Kanyangarara.
With the NRL title race entering the home stretch this weekend, Harare Sports Club are set to take on bitter rivals Old Hararians in a massive derby clash tomorrow night.
Three weeks remain before the league comes to an end and the top four teams will go on to play in a knock-out tournament with the winner being crowned the champion.
However, only three games are set for Friday night with Sports Club, their second string side and the women’s side taking on their rivals from across town.
“We have also taken into consideration that Zimbabwe will be playing Bangladesh in cricket during the same weekend at the same venue.
“We are also trying to create more weekend time for the match officials.
“We saw it working for us last week during the Junior Africa Cup where most of the referees were taking part,” said Kanyangarara.
The Zimbabwe Referees’ Society has been struggling for numbers to cope with schools, international games and league assignments.
Fixtures
Tomorrow
Harare Sports Club v Old Hararians (Sports Club 7.50pm), Red Lions v Old Hararians (Sports Club 6pm), Sports Club Women v Old Hararians Women (Sports Club, Friday 7.30pm).
Saturday
A-League
Airforce v Panthers (Manyame 3.30pm), Busters v Mutare (Hartsfield 2pm), Old Miltonians v Old Georgians (Hartsfield 3.30pm),
B-League
Police v Southern City (Manyame 1.40pm), Mabvuku v Swallows (Sports Club 12.40pm), Zvishavane v Busters (Zvishavane 3pm), Old Miltonians v Panthers (1pm), Thornhill v Bulldogs (Gweu 3.30pm).
Women
Heels v Police (Hartsfield 3.10pm), Airforce v Busters (Manyame 3.30pm).
Online Reporter