Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB) Archer Clothing Rugby League reaches a decisive stage this weekend, with Saturday’s fixtures at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds marking the conclusion of the round-robin phase before the competition pauses for a week.
Following the break, knockout rounds will commence on September 6, featuring men’s and women’s semi-finals alongside placement matches.
The season will then conclude on September 13, with both finals and third-place play-offs scheduled.
“After 11 rounds of very exciting rugby, the teams will take a one-week break so that those heading into the knockouts can breathe, re-adjust and re-strategise. Including this Saturday, we are left with about three rounds of matches before the season wraps. It has been a great campaign — every team has shown fight and hunger,” said tournament director and BMRFB secretary, George Hlatshwayo.
In the men’s championship, the top four teams after Saturday’s fixtures will progress to the semi-finals. The fifth and sixth-placed sides will contest a placement match, while the semi-final losers will compete in the third-place play-off.
In the women’s competition, which features five teams, the bottom-placed side will automatically finish last, with the remaining four advancing to the semi-finals.
The standout fixture of the weekend is the derby between unbeaten defending champions Old Miltonians (OMs) and former winners Matabeleland Warriors. Only two points separate the sides at the top of the table — OMs lead with 39 points, while Warriors trail on 37. A win for OMs would see them complete the round-robin stage unbeaten, but a Warriors victory would see them leapfrog into first place, heading into the knockouts.
Elsewhere, Mahogany Bulls, fourth, face Highlanders in a do-or-die clash with a semi-final spot at stake. Western Suburbs Panthers, already assured of a semi-final berth in third, take on bottom-placed Bulldogs in their final group fixture.
In the women’s section, leaders Warriors face second-placed Highlanders, while Panthers meet Bulldogs. Panthers and bottom-placed Lions are tied on 12 points, making the final fixtures crucial in determining semi-final placements.
