Busters snatch cup win from Western panthers

Panthers 12-9 to claim the title of 2012 Zimbo Cup champions.
Panthers started the game on the wrong foot and Busters, who seemed out for revenge after last weekend’s defeat, overwhelmed them. Hardly five minutes into the game Panthers conceded a penalty which Busters chose to convert. The kick went wide and in an attempt to secure the ball, disorganised Panthers knocked it on causing a Busters scrum 5 meters from their try line.
The Panthers forwards were no match for the burly Busters pack and they were driven back and Busters scored through Justin Mendleson. Again the Busters conversion failed to set the first-half score at 5-0.
Well aware that this was a do-or-die encounter the Panthers stayed in the game and displayed brilliant defensive play and good counter attacks. Busters’ wing Bastien Mendelssohn also had a good day and became the darling of the crowd with his agile sidesteps.
Indiscipline on the part of Panthers saw the referee awarding numerous penalties to Busters who laid siege on the Panthers try-line throughout the first half.
Panthers came back from the breather a different team and turned the pressure on Busters by launching several quick attacks. Their effort was rewarded when fly-half Tarisai Sibanda put a penalty between the posts. Another penalty was awarded to Panthers and Sibanda who had his kicking boots on, converted it again to give Panthers a one-point lead as the score stood at 6-5.
Seeing the Cup slip through their fingers, Busters stepped up their game. After a ferocious battle characterised by hard charging and equally hard tackles, Brian “Carter” Dube came through for Busters by scoring a try that was converted taking the points tally to 12-6. Tarisai Sibanda, who undoubtedly was the man of the match for Panthers and is tipped to be the Matabeleland kicker on the Durban tour, came through with another conversion in the dying minutes of the game to take Panthers three points behind Busters.
Tension gripped the stadium as the game hung in the balance. Supporters of both teams literally went into the game as they tried to give their team an extra edge through their cheering. There was relief and jubilation in the Busters camp as the referee blew the final whistle while they were still three points ahead of Panthers.
Provisional Mat’land squad for Durban tour
Lawrence Cleminson Busters, Johan De Klerk Busters, Justin Mendleson, Busters, Elsilomi Dube Panthers, Andile Muthema OMs, Sandile Lupuwana OMs, Munyaradzi Matuwani Busters, Tawanda Mhora OMs, Robin Mashinga Panthers, Ntando Ncube Bulldogs, Unoshe Mutambashoka Busters, Kudakwashe Takawira Busters, Tawanda Joseph Maseswa Panthers, Shemeah Mushiribindi Bulldogs, Logic Chibaya Bulldogs, Thabani Mhlanga Panthers, Brian Arendse Busters, Earlreece Mackay Busters, Ezekiel Moyo OMs, Andrea Banda Busters, Irvine Nduwa Panthers, Lwazinenkosi Phulu Bulldogs, Mzingayi Trust Sibindi Panthers, Tafadzwa George Hlatshwayo OMs, Leo Muvhganirwa Panthers, Ngqabutho Edga Craig Zulu Panthers, Brian Dube Busters, Tarisai Sibanda Panthers, Allan Mutungwa OMs, Dextar Mutete Busters, Bordy Tapiwa Marekera Bulldogs, Ntandonjinkosi Ndlovu Panthers, Mohammed Zvakavapano OMs, Mzingaye Maposa Busters, Shane Mpofu Panthers, Marvin Mwaibasa Busters, Bukhosi Moyo OMs, Mkululi Ndhlela Busters, Paul Edmeads Busters, Bastien Mendlessohn Busters, Believe Nyakabawu Bulldogs, Wayne Chuma Busters, Munashe Midzi Busters, Alister Chipanje OMs, Tafadzwa Mushambwe OMs.