Chronicle Editor
Brandon Moyo, [email protected]
AFTER over three months of gruelling rugby action, the curtain finally comes down on the 2024 Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB) Archer Clothing Rugby League, with teams gearing up for an epic finale at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds this afternoon.
Headlining the weekend matches is a final between nemeses, defending champions Matabeleland Warriors and Old Miltonians (OMs). Both teams enter the final on the back of impressive displays in the round-robin stage and the semi-finals played last week. In the league format, Warriors won seven of their eight matches, losing only once to OMs, while the latter also won seven, losing once to the former.
OMs handed Warriors their only defeat in the first round of the league, winning the match 16-12, before the defending champions got their revenge in the second round with a 22-15 win. With scores levelled at one all this season, bragging rights will be at stake in today’s final. Warriors head coach Aubrey Dube said they will be at their destructive best with a full-strength squad at their disposal.
Dube is confident that with the experience they have in the team, they will be able to defend their title. For the first time this season, Warriors will go into a match with all their players available.
“Training has been good, actually, it has been the best we have ever had this season. All our players are back, they have recovered from injuries, and some who were out of the country have also returned. We have not been playing our full-strength squad, but now we have the best side. We have dominated for a long time, and I am sure we will be able to retain our title. It’s not going to be easy; it’s never easy playing against OMs.
“We have the experience and the firepower. OMs have been playing really well this season, but I think we should be able to retain the title. We have a strong team, and for the first time, we have had to deal with a selection headache.
“We have three players coming back who were outside the country to add an extra boost to the squad. The boys are motivated, the mood is good, spirits are high, and everyone is looking forward to the game. People should come out and see the might of the Matabeleland Warriors; it’s going to be a great game of rugby,” said Dube.
OMs gaffer, Victor Chiwara, said they will be going into the game with the underdogs tag but is confident they will be able to get another one over Warriors. Chiwara said experience will play its part, and his players are eager and raring to go. Chiwara called on all sport-loving people, not just rugby enthusiasts, to come through in numbers and witness this quality game.
“Our preparations have been going well all week; the boys are motivated. This kind of game is an easy one for a coach; the boys are self-motivated, and all you have to do is just give out the tactics. The players are excited and ready to play. We have one or two injury concerns, but it’s nothing major. I am sure we will have a full squad, but whoever comes in to play must be ready to get the job done.
“In these kinds of games, experience is a big factor. I know we are going into this game as the underdogs, but we will fight. We have done well this season with a fairly youthful squad. It’s a new project, but the boys have done well, and the final will be a good measure to show how far we have come. With that said, I call on all sport lovers to come through in numbers and enjoy the beautiful rugby that will be on display,” said Chiwara.
With the final promising to be a cracker, the third-place play-off match will be equally enthralling. Highlanders and Western Suburbs Panthers will also lock horns for bronze in yet another grudge match.
For Highlanders coach, Silethokuhle “Slater” Ndlovu, preparations have been going well, and he was pleased with the numbers they had in training. Ndlovu has been complaining about the lack of commitment from his players but is happy they managed to heed the call to train for their last game of the season.
“The numbers were better this time; I am not complaining much. There are no excuses after this; we need to win without fail. We are better prepared this time around. Having lost once against them, it’s going to be fire this time, but whatever the outcome, I know there will be a great display of rugby,” said Ndlovu.
Panthers coach, George “Rollo” Mukorera, is confident his youthful team will shock Highlanders and end their season on a high note.
“We have been training with 25 boys, but we got some players with experience. I think the team that is more organised will win. We have a solid game plan, and previously we have shown people what we are capable of, so I am confident we will be able to end the season on a high note,” said Mukorera.
Prior to the men’s final and third-place play-off match, there will be a ladies’ finale pitting Warriors Ladies against Highlanders Ladies. Action starts at 13:30. Gate charges are pegged at US$1 for general entry and US$2 for VIP.
2024 BMRFB Archer Clothing Rugby League Final Day fixtures:
Ladies Final: Warriors vs Highlanders (13.30pm)
Men’s third place play-off: Panthers vs Highlanders (14.30pm)
Men’s final: Warriors vs Old Miltonians (16.00pm).
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