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Blessing Gondokondo Sports Reporter —
MUTARE’S rival rugby teams, Mutare Sports Club and Mountain Lions recently buried the hatchet to join forces and settled for third position at the Harare Sevens Tournament.
The combined Mutare Sports Club which was being coached by seasoned coach, Mackenzie Munetsi, produced top drawer performances that won commendation from many followers of the game.
Mutare Sports Club emerged victorious in the group stages after beating Prophetic Healing Deliverance Ministries (PHD) 12-5.
MSC went on to beat Chinhoyi 29-7. They settled for a 17-all draw with Police Defenders.They managed to secure a ticket to the semi-finals as they were the first to score a try during game time against Police Defenders.
The tournament rules stated that a team that scores the first try in a drawn match will be the automatic winner. However, MSC could not reproduce the group stages form as they lost 12-7 to Mufakose in the semi-finals.
Police Defenders later emerged as winners, Mufakose were runners-up. In an interview, Manicaland Rugby Board chairperson, Josiah Borerwe, said the team impressed during the tournament.
“The team played very well. The players showed great improvement in their fitness levels, skills and pace. Individuals like Gideon Muyambo have greatly improved, the same applies to Nyadundu,” said Borerwe.
He hailed the merge between Mutare Sports Club and Mountain Lions, saying with unity of purpose rugby can scale dizzy heights in Manicaland.
“The team that participated in the Harare Sevens Tournament was a blend of players from MSC and Mountain Lions. The players showed that they can play well together and this is something that should be encouraged.
“We also want to incorporate players from Rusape in the provincial rugby team,” he said.
Meanwhile, MRB is undertaking a rugby coaching clinic at Marange High School with sports teachers in the Marange zone to create another pool of players for the provincial team.
Online Reporter