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Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
IT takes class to be among the best but it takes character to be the best and Old Hararians displayed both attributes to stage a great second half comeback that saw them being crowned National Rugby League champions. Coming back from a half-time deficit of 9-14, the Old Boys were a different side in the second half and powered their way to 20 points while Old Georgians could only a penalty to surrender the championship 29-27.
It has taken eight years for Old Hararians to be crowned league champions but it would not have come any sweeter than against Old Georgians — the only side that beat them in the regular season this year.
Playing Old Georgians was always not going to be easy given the rivalry between the two local rugby giants and the huge expectations from fans of both sides.
This was always going to put pressure on either side and, this being a decider, made it even more intriguing.
Both sides have a different approach to the game as Old Georgians are a forwards-oriented team while the Old Boys rely heavily on their backline for the killer instinct.
Old Georgians are the only side that has beaten the Old Boys this season but of the three meetings between the two sides, Old Hararians emerged triumphant twice, including when it mattered the most, on Saturday.
The Dragons were the fitter side, had a disciplined approach and played a better structured game for the greater part of the game but the rugby gods did not favour them on this particular day.
Old Hararians knew very well that their opponents were going to use their forwards well as they have better ball carriers, especially off the set-piece.
But coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge just had a perfect plan to counter Old Georgians, making second half substitutes, decision-making that worked to shut down the opponents attack and turn over the game for a massive 20 second half points.
Poor ball handling skills, a lot of unforced errors and turned over balls gave Old Hararians a weaker hand while Old Georgians enjoyed shutting the game off and making it difficult for Old Boys to spread the ball out wide.
Phase play, mauls and rucks gave Old Georgians an upper hand in the first half where Cheetahs backliner Kudakwashe Chiwanza came in with a brace of touchdowns supported by hooker Keith Murray and Tatas Mutataguta who weighed in with one apiece.
Flyhalf Boyd Rous had two conversions and a penalty. But the Old Boys could only manage three penalties, all off the boot of Sables flyhalf Tichafara Makwanya going into the break.
And it was in the last 40 minutes that the Old Boys came back to life following the introduction of former Young Sables centre Takudzwa Chieza, scrummy Tich Chidongo and Cheetahs utility player Gardner Nechironga on the wide.
Both Nechironga and Chieza seemed to have been the missing link in the Old Boys attack, as they both touched down once in quick succession and Makwanya’s accurate boot came in handy to gain the lead, setting up a tense final five minutes.
Poor officiating also marred a good game.
Old Hararians were denied one of their tries and controversial calls were made largely against the Old Boys, but all this did not matter at the end of the day.
Yes, the Old Boys are the champions again.
Online Reporter