Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo,Zimpapers Sports Hub
The second instalment of the Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB) Archer Clothing Rugby League derby between rivals Old Miltonians (OMs) and Matabeleland Warriors lived up to expectation as the two giants shared the spoils in an intense game at Hartsfield on Saturday.
The derby, which drew large numbers of fans, ended 28-28, although both teams would feel they should have walked away with the bragging rights had they capitalised on the chances they got.
Saturday’s result means that the defending champions, OMs, go into the knockout stage without tasting defeat in nine round-robin matches, winning eight and drawing once. Warriors, on the other hand, suffered just a single defeat in nine outings, losing 35-39 against OMs in the first leg of the derby in July.
OMs sit on top of the log standings with 41 points, two ahead of former title holders Warriors on 39.
It was the Gilbert Nyamutsamba-mentored Warriors side that drew first blood on Saturday, taking an early 6-0 lead having successfully converted two penalties. OMs responded with two tries in quick succession, both converted to lead 14-6 halfway through the first stanza.
Warriors tried to claw back into the game, scoring and converting their only try in the first half to make it 14-13. The Old Boys extended their lead with two penalties and it went to the break 20-13 in favour of OMs.
Soon after the start of the second half, Warriors scored yet another try, once again their fly-half making no mistake from the tee. The game turned out to be an end-to-end affair as OMs responded with yet another try, however missed the conversion with the scores now 25-20 in their favour.
Warriors reduced the deficit to just two points as they successfully converted yet another penalty before OMs scored theirs to make it 28-23.
With under five minutes left of play, Warriors scored a try but missed the conversion, bringing the scores level. A conversion would have seen them take a two-point lead.
The defending champions had a glorious chance to seal the win and complete a famous double over their foes when they got a penalty, under the posts, with the last play of the day, but luck wasn’t on their side as the kicker missed, for a share of the spoils.
In other matches, Western Suburbs Panthers beat Bulldogs 57-21 while Mahogany Bulls beat Highlanders 28-3.
In the women’s championship, Warriors beat Highlanders 21-0 while Panthers beat Bulldogs 20-5.
The knockouts are scheduled for 6 September.
