Fireworks expected at Hartsfield

The stage is set for an exciting weekend of 2025 Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB) Archer Clothing Under-20 Rugby League knockout matches, which are scheduled to take place at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds this Saturday.

There will be two highly anticipated semi-final matches, as well as two placement games, at the home of rugby this weekend. The elimination and placement matches follow the completion of the round-robin games last Saturday.

Western Suburbs Panthers maintained their perfect record, finishing the round-robin stage unbeaten after seven matches. The Panthers made it seven out of seven with a 24-15 win over Highlanders in the final round of league action. With their flawless run, the Panthers top the table with 32 points. Christian Brothers College (CBC) Hornets stormed into second place after thrashing defending champions Old Miltonians (OMs) 36-0, moving to 22 points.

Plumtree High School Amabhubesi climbed to third following a dominant 73-5 win over Matabeleland Lions.

OMs, who were outclassed by the Hornets, dropped to fourth but still secured the final semi-final spot.

In what promises to be an explosive semi-final, table-toppers Panthers will face OMs in the semis, while the schoolboys Hornets and Amabhubesi will clash in the other semi-final match.

In their last round-robin encounter, Matabeleland Warriors cruised past Bulldogs with a 66-0 victory to finish fifth, while Highlanders finished sixth. Bulldogs ended in seventh place, with the Lions rooted at the bottom of the standings. The Warriors will face the Lions in a placement match, while the Bulldogs will meet Highlanders in the other placement encounter.

In the women’s division, Bulldogs edged Plumtree High 10-5 in the only match played. Bulldogs finished top with 20 points, seven ahead of second-placed Panthers (13 points), and 13 clear of Highlanders (7 points) in third. Plumtree High anchored the standings with three points.

This Saturday, Panthers women will face Plumtree before the latter goes on to face Highlanders later in the day.

“This year’s edition of the Under-20 league has been the best in quite some time. From the quality of rugby being played to the spectator turnout, it’s been amazing.

“Surely, Bulawayo rugby is taking steps towards becoming the powerhouse of Zimbabwean rugby,” said tournament director George Hlatshwayo.

“For the past three years, the title race has been unpredictable. In 2023, CBC Hornets won it. In 2024, it was OMs.

This year, we might crown a new champion,” he added.

With the knockout games taking place this Saturday, the final is set for 5 April. — @brandon_malvin