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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
TWO of the country’s top tier rugby league teams – Mutare Sports Club and Old Crestonians – awarded their best performers for the 2022 season at separate colourful ceremonies held recently in the eastern border city.
For Mutare Sports Club, the player of the year was Jones Dedza, who also snatched the forward player of the year gong.
Backline of the year award went to Kenneth Murefu, while the 15s top try scorer was Tatenda Gwanzura and Sevens player of the year was Tadiwa Nyamundanda
Nyamundanda bagged another award in the Sevens top try scorer gong.
Rookie of the year was Tino Marara.
Junior player of the year award went to Dean Makweche, while the most improved player award was scooped by Dean Makweche.
Players’ player of the year award went to Ryan Kasipo, while the female player of the year is Elsie Bhasvi and the Female Sevens player of the year award was won by Lisa Mtetwa.
The chairman’s award was handed over to Matanga, while Armson Makumbe, one of the senior players got an appreciation award.
On the other side of town, the outstanding player of the year for Old Crestonians, which was voted for by fellow players was Nyasha Chikadza who walked away with the player of the year, Sevens player of the year, MVP of the year, forward player of the year and top try scorer’s awards.
Tanya Murangwa was voted Backline player of the year, while Linton Kusena was the players’ player of the year.
Tichaona Donono was named the tackler of the year and Ryan Ndoro was the junior player of the year.
Achievement awards were handed out to Josiah Borerwe (Junior) for representing the Zimbabwe Under-20 side, Tatenda Chayayi for signing a contract with the Blue Bulls rugby club in South Africa and Gideon Muyambo for his achievements as a referee this year.
More achievement awards were presented to Anotida Matongo for captaining the Manicaland Under-20 side and Linton Kusena for captaining the Manicaland Sevens side.
Old Crestonians was formed in December 2019 to spread the game of rugby in Manicaland.
A strong technical team was put in place with the likes of Brandon Chombo (strength and conditioning coach), Charles Bezuidenhout (forwards coach), Takunda Mwayera (backline coach), with Gideon Muyambo bringing his refereeing and laws of the game experience as well as his personal game experience.
Towards the end of last year, Old Crestonians were able to get their first taste of competitive rugby in the local Sevens.
Old Crestonians were also invited to partake in the Northern Division 15’s League.
They were added to the First Division League, being the rookies and new club on the block, while fellow Mutare club, Mutare Sports Club was playing in the NPL section, which is the top section in the Northern Division 15’s league.
Old Crestonians had a stellar first season in the 15’s format of the game.
To their credit, they were quickly recognised as a side with a formidable forward pack, a good attacking backline with a very strong defence.
Old Crestonians lost once against Pitbulls.
They recovered from their loss to beat XP Horns and were promoted to the NPL, the top tier section where they will be facing the likes of Old Georgians, Harare Sports Club, Old Hararians and MSC.
Manicaland now has two teams playing in the top tier section next year.
Old Crestonians was led by their inspirational captain and former Hillcrest College student, Emmanuel Kawadza.
Bezuidenhout said: “Of course, all of this would not have been made possible without our main sponsor, Mega Market who came in at the right time and helped us complete our season.
“As Old Crestonians, are very gratefully to Mega Market for helping us accomplish promotion into NPL. We would also like to thank MFS, Skyview, Mwayera Buses, FG Franklina and HC Bell who also chipped in with different sponsorship. We also like to thank Chancellor Junior School for availing their sports fields for our practice sessions.”
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