Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
A DRAMATIC last-minute try from Highlanders and a spirited comeback by Warriors headlined a thrilling Week Three of the 2025 Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB) Archer Clothing League, as local rugby returned in full force at the ceremonial home of the sport, Hartsfield Rugby Grounds, on Saturday.
The men’s championship produced nail-biting encounters, with Highlanders snatching an 18-14 victory over Bulldogs, while former champions Matabeleland Warriors had to dig deep to subdue a gutsy Western Suburbs Panthers side 42-14.
Highlanders were made to sweat for their first win of the season, sealing it with a try in the dying moments after trailing 14-13 late in the game. The triumph ends a winless run of two games and piles more pressure on a Bulldogs side still in search of their first victory.
“It was a good win, tough, but satisfying,” said Highlanders coach Silethokuhle ‘Slater’ Ndlovu. “We started a man down but held our ground. We scored first, then they came back at us. The second half was rough, but we kept faith in our structure and finished strong.”
Ndlovu credited his team’s composure under pressure, highlighting the inexperience of the opposition.
“They were leading, but they kept playing in their own half instead of kicking out. We knew if we kept applying pressure, we’d get our chance and we did,” he added.
On the opposite bench, Bulldogs coach Newman Hlatshwayo conceded defeat, but remained optimistic about his team’s progress.
“There’s definitely room for improvement. A few mistakes cost us the game, and our combination play still needs work. It’s back to the drawing board,” he said.
Hlatshwayo also lamented officiating decisions that he felt disrupted his team’s rhythm.
“Some calls demotivated the boys. But I reminded them to focus on the game and keep moving forward. In the end, the bigger team won,” he said.
The second men’s match of the day saw the Matabeleland Warriors overcome a slow start to register a 42-14 win over the spirited Panthers. The final score, however, didn’t tell the full story of a feisty contest that even spilled over into near confrontation on the side lines, as technical staff from both camps had to be restrained during a heated exchange.
On the field, it was Panthers who drew first blood, applying early pressure and leading for much of the first half. But experience and better game management saw Warriors storm back in the second period.
“It was an intense and exciting game,” said Warriors team manager Melford Matarirano. “We were missing a few regulars, and our first half was below par, but the boys regrouped brilliantly. That second half was all about grit and focus.”
Panthers head coach Busani Ncube, though disappointed by the final result, was proud of his youthful squad’s bravery.
“We were always in it. We had them under pressure, and the score doesn’t reflect the true nature of the game,” said Ncube. “Experience was the difference today. But our boys showed real fight, a true panther heart. They gave everything.”
With three rounds played, defending champions Old Miltonians (OMs), who were on a bye, remain atop the standings with 10 points, edging Warriors on points difference. Panthers sit third with five points, followed by Highlanders on four, while Bulldogs anchor the table with just one point.
Elsewhere in the A League, Mahogany Bulls romped to a 45-0 win over Plumtree Buffaloes, further cementing their credentials in the lower division.
In the women’s championship, Panthers earned a solid 12-0 victory over Highlanders, while Bulldogs edged Lions 5-0 in another tight affair.
Despite the defeat, Lions still top the standings with 11 points, followed by Bulldogs on eight and Warriors on five. Panthers sit in fourth place with four points, while Highlanders are rooted to the bottom with just one point from three outings.
Meanwhile, in schools rugby, Milton High School suffered a narrow 17-18 loss to Wise Owl, failing to complete a double over their opponents after having won the reverse fixture 8-7.
Rugby fans can look forward to more action this coming Saturday as the BMRFB league continues to gather pace, with teams already jostling for early momentum in what promises to be a fiercely contested season. — @brandon_malvin
