Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
AS the national rugby team — the Sables — shift their attention to Saturday’s World Rugby Nations Cup encounter against Uruguay in London, four teams will battle it out in a potentially explosive fourth edition of the Dobropoulos Shield semi-finals to be played in Mutare and Rusape tomorrow, (Saturday).
The Sables got down to their preparations for tomorrow’s encounter, which comes after a difficult 43-7 defeat to Samoa that left Zimbabwe still searching for their first victory in the competition.
In his analysis of the heavy defeat against Samoa, local rugby pundit, Bless Mwale said:
“We were outclassed in many areas. The purpose of playing this nations’ cup is to get us to appreciate the level of intensity in all aspects of the game at that level, in preparation for the WC. It is not the end but a means to an end; also expecting to win these matches is rather short sighted.”
Be that as it may, back home, the excitement is building up as Mutare and Rusape will host the fourth edition of the Dombropoulos Shield Tournament semi-finals.
The semi-finals promise exciting rugby action with Rusape Buffaloes hosting Mutare Sports Club at Makoni Country District, while Old Crestonians welcome Knights at Eve Golf Club, Florida, Mutare.
The winners will battle it out in the grand finale the following weekend at Mutare Sports Club.
Manicaland Rugby Board chairperson, Casper ‘Belt’ Bandi said: “I am sure the tournament will be played in the true spirit of the game’s sportsmanship. All matches are going to be played on the same day and at the same time, that is 2pm.”
Bandi said the tournament has been growing in leaps and bounds since its inception.
“It is truly encouraging to see how this tournament continues to grow in stature and popularity, becoming one of Mutare’s recognised rugby competitions and gaining recognition across the country. I would like to encourage all rugby lovers in areas around Rusape to come out for a fantastic day of rugby and for those around Mutare we urge them to come out in numbers as well and have a beautiful day of rugby at Eve Golf Club,” he said.
The Manicaland Rugby Board leader thanked the financiers of the competition for their gesture of goodwill to the sport in the province of Manicaland.
“Lastly, I would like to thank the Dobropoulos family for the continued support of Manicaland Rugby and I am super excited for this tournament and all the best to all the teams,” he said.
Peter Dobropoulos, who is also the chairman for the Manicaland Sports Development Committee, said: “I am doing this for the clubs in Manicaland. Manicaland Rugby Board are the controlling body of the game and hence they naturally come in and we work with them for the success of the competition.
This is the fourth year we have been hosting this event. It is something that we do in honour of my late father who was involved in the game of rugby in Manicaland as well as my late uncle who also put a lot of time into rugby in Manicaland.”
Ends
Sables battle in London, Dobropoulos Shield in Mutare
