Dirty, dirty rugby

 

Grant Mitchell’s Old Georgians might have walked away 30-21 winners over Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge’s Old Boys but it was the foolish behaviour by players from both teams that stole the limelight. Young referee Jilian Mundawarara, the son of another official Mudiwa Mundawarara — was clearly not in control of the game as he was overwhelmed due to lack of experience.

There was only one NRL game in the capital but the referees society threw caution to the wind, preferring to give the older and mature referees a rest on a weekend they were  needed them most.

Mundawarara and his assistant referees were clearly out of sorts leaving a string of knock-ons to go unpunished in situations that did not even give advantage to the opposition.
His positioning during play was not the best as he did not have the best view, his calls left a lot of questions and the Old Hararians players took advantage of his indecisiveness.

But there was no justification for the wayward behaviour that was exhibited by mostly the Old Hararians players who felt hard done by the officiating trio.
It was sad to see national and former national team players react in such unprofessional manner as they did with Alex Ndanganga demading a bout with Cheetahs and Old Georgians captain Jacques Leitao after he was yellow carded. Old Hararians allege that Leitao used the “F-word” to Ndangana as he walked off the pitch resulting in Ndangana retaliating. Sables flyhalf Tichafara Mwakwanya and Old Georgians Craig Elcombe were both yellow carded after they were involved in a scuffle and Makwanya could be heard shouting “Ataura nezva mai vangu. . .” (He spoke ill about my mother).

Towards the end of the second half, Makwanya was at it again shouting at the referee who was running touch on the western stand calling him “foolish” after he let Old Georgians go away with a foul but this time he was lucky to escape without punishment.

Another Cheetahs and Sables utility Gardener Nechironga was sent off the pitch after questioning the decision by Mundawarara receiving a red card.
Results: Mat’land Warriors 49, Zvishavane Bulls 17; Old Miltonians 65, Harare Sports Club 19; Western Panthers 29, Gweru Sports Club 26; Old Georgians 30, Old Hararians 21.