Busters, HSC draw

Muzingaye Ncube Sports Reporter
Matabeleland Busters ……………………(6) 14
Harare Sports Club………………………..(0) 14 HARARE Sports Club and Matabeleland Busters battled to a draw in a closely contested National Rugby League match at Hartsfield Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday.

Busters the hosts had an impressive first half  with the young Tarisai Mugariri stealing the show with two well struck penalties which came in the 13th and 21st minute to put his side in the driving seat. HSC the 2012 champions, had also a fair share of penalties getting two which were missed by their taker Taddy Whata.

After the break the visitors came back a rejuvenated side but it was Busters who almost drew first blood despite being kept at bay by the visitors in the 43rd minute after Brian Dube’s impressive break was well defended by HSC.

Moments later Mugariri missed an opportunity to extend the lead from a penalty which had resulted from not releasing the ball at a ruck by HSC at the 22-metre line.

Mugariri then made up for his miss with a superb drop kick to extend the hosts’ lead, before HSC’s Tafadzwa Bepura got a try in the 72nd minute  which had come from intensive attacking play by the visitors and the resultant conversion was well struck by Whata.

Three minutes later HSC got the lead with yet another try from an impressive run by Stephen Hundura with Whata converting to put the Harare side in the lead for the first time.

With two minutes left to play and when all hope was lost the hosts managed to push for a try by keeping up the pressure in the visitors’ half which was followed by impressive interchange of passes that gave Dube the opportunity to get a touchdown. Mugariri, however, missed the conversion probably due to the position of the kick leaving the scores tied up at 14 all a feat that rarely happens in rugby.

Zimbabwe national rugby team coach Brendan Dawson who was among the spectators at the venue said the game was impressive and the standard on the local scene was improving.

“It was a good game, both teams gave it their all which is a good indication for the improvement of the sport locally. It will also give us the opportunity to select some players that will be part of the squad for the upcoming world cup qualifiers,” he said.

The Sables mentor said Busters should have held on to their lead but they instead put themselves under unnecessary pressure.

“Despite the fact that all the teams wanted the win, I think Busters should have won this one, they had the game under control in the first period but there was a lapse of concentration in the second period which almost cost them if it were not for that late try,” said Dawson.