adminPaul Munyuki Sports Reporter
THERE is more at stake this weekend as when the schools rugby season gets underway as selectors will have their eyes on the games taking place across the country today.
With just a week before the provincial schools rugby trials for the Under-18 Craven Week side take place, selectors already have an interest in the games taking place this weekend.
Top of the bill will be the ultimate test between Prince Edward Tigers and hosts Falcon College Mad Dogs in Esigodini in what is being dubbed the Game of the Season.
Both teams were in top form at the Dairibord Schools Rugby Festival in Harare last week where Falcon College showed they are the team to beat this year.
They won all their three games against some of the top schools sides.
They beat Churchill (21-7), Watershed (74-0) and St John’s College (18-15) and Falcon, coached by former Sables coach Brandon Dawson, are hoping to maintain their unbeaten run this year.
They have class, size, and form, which they showed at the festival.
But it is not going to be an easy task as the Prince Edward Tigers are always known to rise to the occasion and, like the Mad Dogs, the Tigers are also unbeaten this year against the local sides.
Powered by their technical team led by coach Sean de Souza (who is also the Zimbabwe Under-20 team manager) and Sebastian Garikai, the Sables manager, the Tigers know what is at stake in this game.
Though the Falcons boast of a powerful pack and size in their backline, they will come under the ultimate test this afternoon when the Tigers, blessed with the eye for the gap, pace, skill and quick thinking, invade Esigidoni.
Captain Kudakwashe Ndoro has all the reasons to believe the Tigers will maul the Mad Dogs on their turf.
The Vikings of Kyle College return to Churchill’s Nigel Phillip.
The two teams met with contrasting fortunes with the Churchill Bulldogs losing all their three games at the festival.
The Vikings are marching with their heads held high after a 100 percent record at the same tournament.
St George’s College will be missing their coach Brandon Brider, who is in France on a week-long World Rugby Level III coaching course, together with Eaglesvale’s Cyprina “Supa” Mandenge.
The programme was organised by French Rugby for Zimbabwe Rugby Union as a way of developing local national team coaches.
Another big game is set for Marondera where Peterhouse Kings host St John’s College of Harare.
Meanwhile, in the Harare Province Super League, unbeaten Old Georgians Sports Club and Old Hararians rekindle their rivalry at Sports Club this afternoon.
The Old Boys are coming from a 30-35 loss at the hands of bitter rivals Sports Club.
Online Reporter