Nail-biting end to Ranl season

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
The Glow Petroleum-funded Rainbow Amateur Netball League reaches its climax this afternoon with three teams in the running for the 2021 league title.

While the rest of the teams have finished their matches, a blood and thunder encounter between ZRP Mambas and Correctional Queens this afternoon at Morris Depot marks the official end to what has been an otherwise eventful league run held under very difficult Covid 19 conditions.

ZRP Mambas are second on the table while Correctional Queens are third and both are in the running for the title.

Ahead of today’s encounter, Perpetual Siyachitema’s Glow Petroleum side sits on top of the standings with 18 points, two points ahead of both ZRP Mambas and Correctional Queens who both need to win convincingly in order to dislodge Glow Petroleum although it looks a far cry for the prison officers who need to score more than 54 points without their opponents scoring any for them to have a realistic chance of being crowned champions.

ZRP Mambas on the other hand need just a win to be crowned Queens of the courts.

The police ladies have a better goal difference than Glow Petroleum.

Both teams are giants in their own right and as such bragging rights will be on top of every player’s mind this afternoon.

As the season comes to an end, credit should be given to the entire league management team for ensuring the smooth running of the league with little or no administrative hurdles as all the teams managed to fulfill their fixtures with the league, through the sponsors, occasionally chipping in to assist teams facing traveling challenges hence sides like Hwange Queens, Pistons managed to play all their games and to their credit, Hwange Queens finished a credible fifth on the table above seasoned campaigners like Khami Queens and Golden Valley.

Meanwhile, the end-of-season tournament which was meant to be held in Hwange last weekend failed to take off due to the Covid-19 pandemic after some league officials tested positive to the virus.

“We were ready for the tournament but unfortunately Covid-19 put paid to all those plans after some of our administrators tested positive.

We have thus shelved the tournament for this year,” said Precious Mudenge, the Ranl vice secretary-general.