HSC can win Spar Sevens: Nemadire

seasons, Old Georgians have been the masters of Sevens rugby in Zimbabwe, swiping everything on offer.
But Sports Club winger, Tangai “Too Bad” Nemadire, believes they have what it takes to turn the tables.
The Spar Sevens Series is played over three legs and Old Georgians have won the previous two editions of the tournament but they have not been as strong as they were in the previous editions.
In the first leg of this year’s edition, the Dragons lost to a spirited Busters in the semi-final who went on to lose in the final against Harare Sports Club.
But they managed to get their act together last week and won against Sports Club in the final.
Harare Sports Club lead the race with 44 points and the Dragons are second on 40. Bulawayo side Busters have 36 points from the past two tournaments and Police Defenders — who have been playing great rugby in the series — complete the top four with 32 points. However, Nemadire believes Sport Club will not only make it into the final but hopes they will walk away with the top prize for the first time in over two years.
“This weekend we should put all we have into the games and we expect the side to stick to set game plan because once we are able to do so then it means we will be on the right track,” said the Cheetahs back liner.
Last week Sport Club were leading the Dragons 14-0 by half time but the Groombridge-based side came back a more organised and powerful troop to score 21 unanswered points in the second period.
This is one of the things that Nemadire say the Red Lions have been working on over the past week as they seek to reclaim their lost glory.
“Not to give any excuses but I think as a team when we saw that we had taken a 14-point lead by half time we then relaxed in the second half and that cost us.
“We had our own setbacks in the build-up to the final and we went on to lose forward (Shingi) Mpofu while one of our top players Cleopas Makotose was not able to play due to an injury but hopefully he will be back this weekend. We have to field the strongest possible side if we are to win.”
Tomorrow’s tournament was initially set to be played on the Harare Sport Club cricket pitch as a field run to the Spar International tournament at the same venue next week, but the proposal has been turned down.
Former Zimbabwe Rugby Union president and Cheetahs manager, Bruce Hobson, who is also one of the Spar International Sevens organisers, yesterday said the plan had been scrapped and they will only start setting up the field on Monday.
Mashonaland Eagles — who are the in charge of the cricket pitch — will be taking on MidWest Rhinos in the final of the Coca-Cola Pro50 championships at the same venue.
“So we will only start setting up on Monday because Mashonaland Eagles will be making use of their field,” said Hobson.
But for Nemadire and the rest of the Sports Club team, this is not a problem as they are focused on getting the best out of themselves tomorrow.
“We have been champions winning the Summer Series for about four in a row and the shift of dominance to Old Georgians is healthy for the game because it shows that some clubs are developing as well.”
Cheetahs Squad: Fortune Chipendu, Jacques Leitao (captain), Mike Morris, Manasah Sita, Justin Coles, Graham Kaulback, Kelvin Magunje, Daniel Hondo, Gerald Sibanda, Tangai Nemadire, Jonathan Mcwade, Wesley Mbanje, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo.
Summer Series Standings
1st Leg    2nd Leg    Total Pts
HSC     24     20    44    
OGs     16     24    40    
Busters     20     16     36    
Police     16     16    32    
OMs     12     4    16    
Airforce     8     4    12     
Gweru     6     6    12    
Mabvuku.     6     6     12    
OH     6     6     12    
Mutare     6     4     10    
Panthers    4     6    10    
Mbare     4     4     8