adminWestern Panthers, who fielded a majority of the players who featured in the Zimbo Under-20 Cup which they won, hammered Bulldogs 73-0 to go on top of the log enjoying a one point lead.
George Mukorera, Western Panthers gaffer, was happy with the result and said his charges were geared up for the competition.
He said what inspired the players was the fact that the Zimbo Under-21 tournament is being used to choose players for the Matabeleland Select which will face South Africa’s Germiston in Bulawayo next month.
The competition is also being used to scout for players who can make it into the Matabeleland senior teams to play in the Spar Sevens tournament which starts in a fortnight in Harare.
“Everyone is geared up but we are expecting tough competition from Busters and Old Miltonians. The fact that we won the Zimbo Under-20 Cup makes us a team to beat and we are ready for our remaining matches.
“I decided to field the bulk of the players who are under the age of 20 years so that they get game time and feel how it is to play in a tournament of such magnitude. It is my hope that most of these players will make it to the provincial squads,” said Mukorera.
Western Panthers welcomed back 20-year-old Carlbert Dube who spent the better part of last year nursing a collarbone injury.
Another player who made it into the Western Panthers line up who did not feature in the Zimbo Under-20 campaign was Noel Mugadza.
National Rugby League players Irvine “Bhuda” Nduwa, Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu, Lwazi Phulu and Tarisai Sibanda were Western Panthers’ game breakers.
Meanwhile, Old Miltonians narrowly lost by a point to Busters who beat them 20-19.
Results
Saturday: Western Panthers 73, Bulldogs 0; Busters 20, Old Miltonians 19
Log standings
P W D L F A Pts
Western Panthers 1 1 0 0 73 0 5
Busters 1 1 0 0 20 19 4
Old Miltonians 1 0 0 1 19 20 1
Bulldogs 1 0 0 1 0 73 0
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter