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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
FIFTH on the National Rugby League log, Bulawayo’s Matabeleland Warriors have set their sights on a semi-finals spot after narrowly winning the derby against Old Miltonians last Saturday.
Matabeleland Warriors who have failed to repeat last season’s performance which earned them a pre-season favourites’ tag beat Old Mitonians 18-17.
The result left Matabeleland Warriors trailing Old Miltonians by two points.
An optimistic Matabeleland Warriors gaffer Rueben Kumpasa said they were left with relatively easy matches compared to Old Miltonians and one win from their remaining two games against Western Panthers and log anchors Zvishavane Bulls will hand them a top four finish.
Western Panthers who where docked seven points a fortnight ago after using an unregistered player are on position six with 13 points and are 10 points behind Matabeleland Warriors.
“If you look at the log standings and the remaining matches the odds favour us to get into the semi-finals. At no point did we think of playing in the semi-finals after a slow start but now we are two points behind Old Miltonians with only two rounds of matches left.
“Our games are easy compared to those of Old Miltonians but that does not mean that we are underrating our opponents. We are going to fight hard and the fusion of young blood and experience seem to be paying off,” said Kumpasa.
For their Old Miltonians encounter, Matabeleland Warriors were without three key players Lloyd Machanjaire who broke a finger, Cleopas Makotose through a hamstring injury and Tapiwa “Endo” Mangezi who tore his knee ligament.
Kumpasa had to bank on national team player Lucky Sithole, Ozzie Lynx, Jan Ferreira and Kudzi Mutsekenyedzi. Durban-based Biselele Tshamala arrived in time to inspire the youthful Matabeleland Warriors team to collect maximum points.
The experienced Matabeleland Warriors’ quartet is expected to lead their side in the remaining matches.
Old Miltonians on the other hand are left with uphill assignments against defending champions Harare Sports Club in the capital and will play host to log leaders Old Hararians who lost once in their 12 outings.
Theo Weale, the Old Miltonians manager said their top four finish will be decided by Western Panthers and Zvishavane Bulls who are supposed to defeat Matabeleland Warriors.
“We made too many mistakes against Matabeleland Warriors and we paid dearly for that. Now we have put ourselves in a tight position and what we need is maybe to pull a shocker against the two giants we are left with or for other teams to do us a favour and derail Matabeleland Warriors.
“Despite the hurdles that lie ahead, we are not throwing in the towel as what we need is to tell ourselves that we can beat Old Hararians or Harare Sports Club. Remember in the first round we surprised everyone when we beat a strong Old Georgians side 24-21 and we are confident of pulling such a result,” Weale said.
Results
Gweru Sports Club 5, Old Georgians 75; Western Panthers 12, Harare Sports Club 36; Matabeleland Warriors 18, Old Miltonians 17
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