OMs continue dominance

OLD Miltonians’ (OMs) have continued with their dream start to the 2024 Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB) Archer Clothing Rugby League after making it three wins on the trot on Saturday afternoon at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds.

On their third encounter of the season, OMs proved a class above Bulldogs, walloping them 37-0 to stay top of the standings, with the defending champions Matabeleland Warriors in second place. The log leaders are at the top courtesy of a better points’ difference with Matabeleland Warriors.

Both OMs and Warriors are on 15 points from three wins with the former enjoying a superior points difference having scored more. Having maintained their prefect start, OMs gaffer Victor Chiwara was impressed with the way his charges played, saying that they used most of their fringe players and is happy that they managed to come to the party.

“Today was a bit better, we did a lot of rotation so a lot of our fringe players who hadn’t got game time this season got a run so that was a positive thing. It’s good that we can still maintain a decent score line with our fringe players while saving our main players for the upcoming game next weekend,” said Chiwara.

OMs finished as runners up last season to Warriors who ended the campaign undefeated and the two sides are facing off this coming Saturday in what promises to be an exhilarating game of rugby.

Despite being number two on the standings, Warriors have also had a perfect start to their title defence, winning three out of three. Warriors were made to fight hard for their 12-3 victory over Panthers on Saturday to keep the pressure on the leaders. Despite securing maximum points, Warriors head coach Aubrey Dube was not happy with the way his team played saying there’s a lot of work that needs to be done.

He conceded that having a bad day in the office is the nature of sport. He believes his team underestimated their opponents. “We are not happy with the way we performed, but it happens. The guys were over confident, they haven’t been training well but it happens and now we have to go back to the drawing board,” said Dube. With OMs and Warriors securing maximum points once again, the race for the coveted title has become a two horse encounter.

The game between OMs and Bulldogs and that of Warriors and Panthers were the only two Championship games that took place on Saturday while there was another one in the Women’s category.

The only Ladies League match that took place on Saturday was between Warriors Ladies and Panthers and the table toppers, Warriors once again were a class above. Warriors Ladies recorded a mammoth 49-0 win to complete round four of matches.

BMRFB Archer Clothing Rugby League Round Four Results:

Women: Warriors 49 vs Panthers 0
Men: Championship: OMS 37 vs 0 Bulldogs
Warriors 12 vs 3 Panthers. – @brandon_malvin.