Bulawayo rugby season finally gets underway

THE eagerly anticipated Archer Clothing Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB) Under-20 league finally got underway last weekend at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds following a two-week delay.

The league was initially due to start on January 25 but was postponed by two weeks. This past Saturday, Hartsfield was transformed into a battleground as clubs fought to get their campaign off to a strong start.

A total of four matches were played on Saturday, including one women’s match and three boys’ encounters.

Tournament director George Hlatshwayo expressed his pleasure at seeing the new local rugby season finally kick off.

“It was an exciting start to our 2025 rugby season here in Bulawayo. I know players have been looking forward to this, and it was great to see them take to the field to mark the start of the new season. All the matches were competitive. All teams gave their all on the field, and that is the kind of passion and dedication we hope to see throughout the entire season.

“Congratulations to the teams that won in the opening round of matches, and we are eagerly awaiting to see what the entire season has in store,” said Hlatshwayo.

The Bulldogs women got their campaign off to a brilliant start with a 20-0 win over the Panthers women in the solitary women’s match played on Saturday.

Matabeleland Lions, a Gwanda-based club making their debut appearance in the league, received a hammering at the hands of the Panthers. The Lions lost that match by a mammoth 73-0 score line, before the Highlanders made light work of the Bulldogs with a 63-0 victory.

The headline match of Round One was between Christian Brothers College (CBC) Hornets and Matabeleland Warriors. It was the latter who managed to secure a hard-fought 21-17 win in a match that lived up to expectations.

The fixtures for the second round of games are yet to be released.

After the conclusion of the Under-20 league, the Archer Clothing Rugby League is set to get underway soon after, with Old Miltonians (OMs) starting the season as defending champions after beating the Warriors in an enthralling final last year.

Meanwhile, on week four of the Paramount Garments Under-20 league (Harare) women’s matches, Horns beat Hunters 19-12 while FS Raiders walloped Old Hararians 46-0. Zimbiru Titans beat Harare Sports Club 17-0.

In men’s matches, Harare Sports Club beat Zimbiru Titans 39-0 before Old Hararians edged Marondera Talons 32-10. Zambezi Steelers beat Northern Chiefs 24-0.

The major match was between Pitbulls and Old Georgians and it was the former who emerged victorious, winning 25-15. – @brandon_malvin