adminMehluli Sibanda
THE country’s 15-a-side rugby season ends this afternoon when the best assembled rugby clubs in the country, Old Hararians and Old Georgians meet in the final at Old Hararians Sports Club in Harare.This final game of the National Rugby League is promising to be a thriller.
At the end of the preliminary rounds, Old Hararians beat Old Georgians to finish on top of the log with 63 points while Old Georgians were second on 61 points.
In last weekend’s semi-finals hosted by Old Georgians, Old Hararians swept past last year’s finalists Matabeleland Warriors with Old Georgians getting the better of 2009 and 2012 winners, Harare Sports Club.
Coached by Zimbabwe Sables assistant coach Cyprian Mandenge, Old Hararians have been in devastating form this season. They only tasted defeat once this season with that loss inflicted by Old Georgians when the two teams met in the first half of the season.
On the other hand, Old Georgians lost twice to Old Hararians on the last day of the preliminary rounds of the season and also to Bulawayo side Old Miltonians at Hartsfield Rugby Ground.
Since the country’s top club rugby competition was resuscitated in 2009, Old Georgians have won it twice in 2010 and 2011.
Old Hararians have never lifted the trophy since the league’s revival which makes them more determined to win.
Old Hararians have many talented players at their disposal in the form of Gardner Nechironga, Tichafara Makwanya, Tangai Nemadire, Costa Dinha, Samson Makuku, Tawanda Chowe, ex Sables prop Alfred Sairai and their find of the season Patrick Tenesi, a winger who scores tries for fun.
Old Georgians go into today’s finals without the services of the injured Sables lock Fortune Chipendu. They will pin their hopes on Zimbabwe Cheetahs skipper Jacques Leitao, Kudakwashe Chiwanza, Pieter Joubert, Boyd Rouse, Takudzwa Mutataguta and Vakai Hove.
Last season’s finalists Harare Sports Club and Matabeleland Warriors play as curtain raisers in a third place play-off where Harare Sports Club go in as favourites.
It promises to be a fun-filled day for those who are going to find their way to Old Hararians Sports Club where Mutare Sports Club will also clash with Harare Police with Harare Sports Club’s women facing their Old Hararians counterparts.
Paul Damasane, the principal director in the newly created Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture, would be the guest of honour with officials from the league’s sponsors, Delta Beverages also expected to witness the titanic battle.
Online Reporter