Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, [email protected]
WESTERN Suburbs Panthers maintained their perfect start to the 2025 Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB) Archer Clothing Under-20 league with their fourth consecutive victory at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds on Saturday.
Only one point separated Panthers and their opponents of the day, Christian Brothers College (CBC) Hornets, in the headline match of game week four. The ambitious side registered a 13-12 hard-fought win in a nail-biting encounter to make it four out of four.
Following their victory over the Hornets, Panthers continue to set the pace at the top of the log standings and veteran coach, George “Rollo” Mukorera gave credit to his players for displaying tenacity in what he described as a tough and challenging match.
“It was a tough game. We had to work hard in terms of forward play as it was our main plan. We managed to stick to our game plan. We won by one point but at the end of the day a win is a win, it is a confidence booster because there is a lot of pressure in the games to come. We need to make sure we maintain our position,” said Mukorera.
He added that if his players maintain their form, they can go all the way and land their hands on the coveted silverware.
“If our boys have the composure and focus (we can go all the way). What we need to do is to train together as a team and then work on our combinations, especially on the scrums. Most of these guys have a better pack than us,” he said.
From the opening three weeks of the season, Panthers and Highlanders were up on each other’s toes, however, the black and white army fell off this past Saturday as they were beaten by a determined Plumtree High School, Amabhubesi.
Plumtree convincingly beat the black and white army 22-0 to win their first game of the season while ending Highlanders’ three-match winning streak. The Amabhubesi head coach, Francis Nakamu was pleased with how his charges played.
“We played very well. The boys stuck to the game plan and we defended well. Congratulations to the boys for believing in the system,” said Nakamu.
Defending champions, Old Miltonians (OMs) made it three out of three with a 28-0 win over Bulldogs, while Matabeleland Warriors bounced back from their derby defeat to beat Matabeleland Lions 60-7.
Despite the win, OMs gaffer Victor Chiwara wasn’t pleased with the way they played, saying there is work that still needs to be done.
“Not the best performance to be honest. We were missing a lot of key players and just on the field. We didn’t have a good week, not a great training week, so there is a lot to work on coming into the next round of fixtures. It’s going to get tough. We have to be well prepared for those games against Highlanders, Panthers and Hornets,” said Chiwara.
In the women’s division, Highlanders beat Plumtree 15-10, while Bulldogs edged Panthers 10-7. The league resumes this coming Saturday with match week five fixtures yet to be confirmed. — @brandon_malvin
