Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo,Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT was blood, sweat and bruises as Old Miltonians (OMs) and Matabeleland Warriors locked horns in a Bulawayo derby thriller that ended in a nail-biting 28-28 stalemate at Hartsfield on Saturday.
The derby, which drew a bumper crowd, lived up to its billing as both giants threw everything into the contest but failed to land the knockout punch.
The draw means defending champions OMs march into the knockout stage unbeaten after nine round-robin matches, with eight wins and one draw. Warriors, who only lost once — a 35-39 defeat to OMs in the first leg in July — sit just two points behind on the log. OMs top with 41 points, Warriors follow closely with 39.
The Gilbert Nyamutsamba-coached Warriors drew first blood through two penalties for an early 6-0 lead. OMs roared back with two quick tries, both converted, to go 14-6 up before Warriors clawed back with a converted try. The Old Boys edged the halftime score to 20-13 thanks to two penalties.
The second half was a bruising end-to-end battle. Warriors struck first with a try to level matters before OMs hit back with another try to stretch it to 25-20. Warriors cut the deficit with a penalty, OMs replied with theirs to make it 28-23.
With the clock ticking down, Warriors powered in a late try but missed the conversion, levelling at 28-all. In the dying seconds OMs were handed a golden chance to seal victory with a penalty under the posts — but the kick went wide, breaking Old Boys’ hearts and sending fans into frenzy.
In other clashes, Western Suburbs Panthers mauled Bulldogs 57-21, while Mahogany Bulls trampled Highlanders 28-3.
In the women’s championship, Warriors crushed Highlanders 21-0, while Panthers tamed Bulldogs 20-5.
The knockouts roar into life on 6 September.
