adminGeophrey Sifani Sports Reporter
MATABELELAND Warriors clinched the Bulawayo Rugby Cup after dismissing Matabeleland Panthers 14-0 before an enthusiastic crowd at Hartsfield Ground on Saturday. The tournament also featured Old Miltonians, Thornhill Airforce, Gweru, Kadoma, Kwekwe, Police Bulldogs, Midlands State University (MSU) and Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT).
Warriors beat Police Bulldogs 10-0 in the semi-final while Panthers edged Old Miltonians 5-0.
Kadoma scooped the shield following their 17-5 victory over Kwekwe in the final. On their way to the final, Kadoma overcame Thornhill Airforce 8-5 in the semi-finals while runners up Kwekwe beat MSU 10-0.
The tournament was first held in Gweru after Masvingo failed to stage it for financial reasons.
Matabeleland Rugby Football Board (MRFB) chairman Theo Weale said he was impressed with the crowd that turned up for the tournament and added that the rugby season in Bulawayo would start soon.
“We had a bigger crowd than the one in Gweru. The tournament was a success; everything changed from team momentum to coaching techniques. Coaches seemed to have come up with different strategies to apply in the game and make it more competitive. If there’s no event this weekend, we’re going to begin our new season,” said Weale.
He emphasised the need to begin the season early so that the game doesn’t lose the large crowd that attened Saturday’s event.
He said the MRFB would work to promote rugby in Bulawayo and make Hartsfield the home of rugby once again, and encouraged Kwekwe and Kadoma, who were making their first appearance in the tournament this year, to market the sport in their respective towns so that more teams can be invited to strengthen the level of competition.
Newman Hlatshwayo was named the best coach while Panthers’ Makwasha Makwasha got the best back prize. The best tackler award went to Tawon Maundire (Kadoma), CUT were the most disciplined team and Gweru the most improved team.
Results.
Old Miltonians 12-8 Bulldogs, Kwekwe 5-0 CUT, Kadoma 5-35 Warriors, Panthers 29-0 CUT, Thronhill 0-19 Gweru, CUT 0-8 MSU,
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