Sports Club thrash OH

run on an exciting day in the National Rugby League on Saturday.
Old Georgians beat Bulawayo side Old Miltonians in a contrasting curtain raiser to Harare Sports Club’s 43-5 thrashing of hosts Old Hararians.
Sports Club were in such good form that they even surprised coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge with their rhythmic performance that led to a demolition of the former champions.
Sports Club suffered a defeat in their league opener agaist Old Georgians but went on to win the second against a hapless Airforce before thrashing Old Hararians at the weekend.
What made the victory sweet for the Red Lions was that it was in front of the Old Boys’ home crowd with the hosts only managing one try on home soil.
Sports Club just managed to do what the Old Boys did to them last season as the Red Lions handed the Old Boys their first defeat of the season.
Mandenge’s charges, led by the dynamic Tatenda Tela, Stephen Hundiza, Owen Chiutare Kudakwashe Kambasha and captain Shingi Mpofu, were on top of their game.
“Obviously looking at the game plan we had agreed on we were looking forward to a win but I was expecting Old Hararians to show some kind of resistance that we usually get in such big games. I wasn’t looking forward to such a big win and I must give credit to my team because they worked hard during the week because these days no one can afford to lose their first team jersey,” said the Sables’ assistant coach.
The Red Lions displayed an exciting brand of rugby as the youthful players, including Tela and Hundiza, performed brilliantly.
In forward play, Sports Club dominated despite Old Hararians having veterans like Prayer Chitenderu and in the back line Bersil Dingiswayo was no match for the young Sports Club attack.
“Against Old Georgians we were not a complete unit and we made too many mistakes and one example is that we dropped the ball about five times with no one in front of us.
“Now there is competition for places in the first team and once a player misses a training session, even through injury, they have to prove themselves.
“So that has improved the side and everyone knows there is a great need to keep working and gone are the days players would just decide not to turn up for training,” said Mandenge.
He believes confidence is now oozing in his side.
“We are now getting to play the kind of rugby we have always believed works for us and it is that belief, in what we can do, that has helped us.
“Early on the guys were trying to get into it and when the going got tough they would not follow the game plan and the new boys are also beginning to get better.
“Team work is the biggest issue and I am glad the boys are now beginning to work as a unit,” added Mandenge.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Under-20 side for the Junior World Rugby Trophy set for Georgia next month has started preparing for the tournament. The side qualified for the tournament after they won the Junior Africa Cup last year in Cote d’Ivoire – by beating rivals Namibia in the final.