Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
BULAWAYO Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB) Archer Clothing Rugby League champions Old Miltonians (OMs) head into Saturday’s final unbeaten this season, but head coach Paradzai Matsika insists his side are under no illusions about the task against Matabeleland Warriors.
The derby showdown has been billed as a clash of the giants, with OMs unbeaten in nine matches and dropping points only once, in a 28-28 draw with Warriors earlier in the campaign.
Yet Matsika is steering clear of the “favourites” label, stressing that knockout rugby has no guarantees.
“I will run away from the word ‘favourites.’ If you look at our semi-final game, and the way we played you can see that it’s still open, this is knockout rugby. Form coming in really doesn’t matter and I don’t think we are the favourites.
“I actually think we have a target on our backs, because we did something last year and we are being expected to do it again.
So I think we have more pressure. Going into this week, we need to keep our heads down, keep our composure and see what comes out of it,” said Matsika.
OMs, who edged last year’s final in sudden death, booked their spot with a tight 27-23 win over Mahogany Bulls in the semi-finals.
Their opponents, Warriors, finished the round-robin stage with seven wins, including a derby defeat to OMs, and crushed Western Suburbs Panthers 36-5 in their semi-final.
Panthers will face Mahogany Bulls in the men’s third place playoff, while the women’s championship will also be decided with Warriors taking on Panthers in the final, and Highlanders battling Bulldogs for third.
Saturday’s action kicks off at 12pm with the women’s playoff between Highlanders and Bulldogs, followed by the men’s third place playoff at 12.30PM.
The women’s final starts at 2pm, before the men’s derby final between OMs and Warriors at 3pm brings the curtain down.
BMRFB Finals Fixtures
Third place play-offs
Highlanders (Ladies) v Bulldogs (12pm), Panthers (Men) v Mahogany Bulls (12.30pm)
Finals
Warriors (Ladies) v Panthers (2pm),
Old Miltonians (Men) v Warriors (3pm)
