adminNgoni Dapira : Sports Correspondent
THE Mutare Sports Club Shumbas went down 21-40 to the defending champions, Harare Sports Club in last Saturday’s National Rugby League match played in Mutare. The side is still to record a victory after three games in the league. The first half ended 28-16 after MSC drew first blood in the sixth-minute from a penalty try and successful conversion.Sportivo retaliated seven minutes later to put the score board at par for a short-while before taking the lead 10 minutes later from a line-out break in the host’s 22-yard.
The Mutare Shumbas defence was commendable as they bravely stood fort to prevent several near attempts by the visitors who managed to drop two more tries in the first half.
On the other hand, MSC flyhalf, Armson Makumbe’s magic boot worked wonders for the Shumbas in the first half.
Makumbe kicked through two crucial penalty conversions and a spectacular drop-kick from the opposition’s 10-yard line that gave his side leverage to stay in the match in the first half.
In the second half, MSC’s defence held fort after the visitors failed to break through them in the first 19-minutes.
It was in the 20th minute that the defending champions managed to touch down a try and barely five minutes later put in another try, but unfortunately failed the conversion.
In the last five minutes of game time, the hosts scored a consolation try, but also failed to kick through the conversion ending the match 40-21.
Usually, in the past, MSC used to be walloped by embarrassingly huge margins both home and away, but gave a spirited performance this time.
The Sportivo side which came with its full entourage including player-coach Daniel Hondo admitted that MSC gave them a run for their money. They, however, chastised some of the calls made by the referee.
MSC coach, Mackenzie Munetsi, said regardless of the defeat he was impressed by the team’s performance which shows they were making progress.
“HSC is a big side, but we contained them and the score-line could have been less had we not lost focus in some situations in the second half. Before we used to be punching bags to them (HSC), but we gave them a run for their money this time round. This shows that this season we will not be pushovers,” said Munetsi.
This weekend will be fixture-free because of the Dairiboard Schools Rugby Festival underway.
MSC is left with two away fixtures against Old Hararians and Police Defenders respectively to conclude the first round matches.
Online Reporter