adminPaul Munyuki Sports Reporter
THE National Rugby League have done away with the traditional opening games pitting the heavyweight clubs in the fixture for this season. The inclusion of Mutare Sports Club means that the league programme will be a nine-team battle for superiority this year.
Mutare were drafted in after the league officials, led by president Noddy Kanyangara, decided to spread the game to more parts of the country.
There was no relegation last year and Zvishavane Bulls, who finished bottom of the then eight-team table, won a reprieve for another dance in the top-flight league.
The fixtures programme shows there will be very fewer league breaks this season, the major one being the mid-season break for three weekends.
The league programme is set to start on April 26 with Harare Sports Club and Hartsfield Rugby grounds hosting two matches each.
As there are nine teams in the league, one of them will be on a bye once in both halves of the season and, as a result, reigning champions Old Hararians will be inactive during the opening week.
Last year’s runners-up Old Georgians open their campaign with a date against Mutare Sports Club while Harare Sports Club are expected to face Zvishavane Bulls with both games at Sports Club.
Mat’land Warriors will host Gweru Sports Club while Old Miltonians face Western Panthers in the first Bulawayo derby of the season at Hartsfield.
The first Harare Derby is set for May 17 , in Week Four of the programme, when Old Georgians host Harare Sports Club — a team they beat home and away last season.
Opening Fixtures
Week 1: Old Georgians v Mutare Sports Club, Harare Sports Club v Zvishavane Bulls (Harare Sports Club), Mat’land Warriors v Gweru Sports Club, Old Miltonians v Western Panther (Hartsfield Rugby Grounds). *Old Hararians bye
Week 2: Old Hararians v Western Panthers (Old Hararians), Old Miltonians v Harare Sports Club (Hartsfield), Mat’land Warriors v Mutare Sports Club, Gweru Sports Club v Zvishavane Bulls (Gweru Sports Club), * Old Georgians bye.
Week 3: Old Miltonians v Old Hararians Mat’land Warriors v Old Georgians (Hartsfield), Mutare v Gweru (Mutare Sports Club), Zvishavane Bulls v Western Panthers (Zvishavane), *Harare Sports Club
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