Mutare disappoints

Ngoni Dapira
MANICALAND’S rugby-powerhouse schools, Hillcrest College and Mutare Boys’ High, on Tuesday set off their 2015 Dairibord schools rugby festival on a bad note at Prince Edward High School in Harare. Hillcrest College took on Bulawayo-based Petra College and suffered a narrow 12-14 defeat, while Mutare Boys’ High played against visiting Botswana side LKC and lost 8-15.

On the contrary, Vengere High and Marist, playing in the developmental teams Pool B, started on a positive note, recording victories on Monday. Marist opened the tournament at 8am against Goldridge, securing a 13-10 win.
Vengere followed at 11am against SOS and won 5-0.

Vengere and Marist’s results for Pool B second-round matches played yesterday could not be obtained at the time of going to Press.
However, today Hillcrest Leopards face Lomagundi, while the Mutare Boys’ High Shumbas take on Goromonzi, followed by matches against Watershed and Milton on Saturday respectively.

Tomorrow in their final encounter, Marist will take on a tricky Atexis side and Vengere will take on the Kwekwe-based Goldridge High School.
Hillcrest coach, Crispen Mhike, said the fixture was changed a bit, a reason why they ended up facing Petra instead of Christian Brothers College and Mutare Boys’ High squaring up against LKC instead of Vainona.

He, however, said he was optimistic that they would pick up their momentum in the match against Lomagundi today.
“It was a narrow defeat and I am sure we will do better in the second round. Lomagundi is no walkover, but I am optimistic we can win the match and the boys are also fired up,” said Mhike.

Mutare Boys’ High coach, George Mufute, could not be contacted by the time of going to Press as his number was constantly unavailable. The annual tournament, which is the biggest schools rugby tournament in the country, draws big crowds and several talent scouts from South Africa looking for new-talent.

The tournament has over the years become a stepping stone for several players, where international players like Tendai “Beast” Mutawarira, Tonderai Chikavhanga and Brian Mujati got their spotlight to launch their careers during their school days.
Formers Hillcrest College student, Ngoni Chibuwe, last year joined South Africa’s Sharks Academy after hogging the limelight at the festival during his schools days.