Chronicle EditorMASVINGO side Victoria High thumped St John’s High School 34-0, while Mount Pleasant got off to a 33-0 drubbing of rivals Oriel Boys in the Dairbord Rugby Schools Festival.
With the Wednesday games moved to Sunday in bid to accommodate the ongoing World Rugby Under-20 Trophy, non-tradition rugby playing schools got the games underway and Harare Sports Club winger Tafadzwa Mhende feels the teams have shown signs of improvement.
“I was largely impressed by Kwekwe despite their loss at the hands of Eaglesvale second string side but they showed some quality in their ranks.
“Their level of ball skills has actually improved from how they played last year. Victoria High were also impressive. This is a side that lost to Chipadze last year and this year they got off to a good start.
“I think these are early signs that we are going to have a more exciting and improved festival in terms of skill and quality, mostly among the non-traditional rugby playing schools,” said Mhende.
Girls schools have also become a part of the festival that at one stage was exclusive to boys.
Girls High School got the better of Royal College with a 24-10 win while giants Vainona were 26-10 winners over Goromonzi.
“Vainona are known to be the giants of schools rugby in their section but I was not happy with the way they played today against Goromonzi,” said Mhende.
“They were a pale reflection of what they are capable of doing.
“At the same time the so-called small teams have shown some improvement as well in the girls section because Goromonzi were quite good against Vainona.
“They showed some phase play.”
Results
Mt Pleasent 33, Oriel 0;
St Johns Emerald 0, Victoria High 34;
Sobukazi 0, Lord Malvern 62; Herentals 3, Trust Academy 15; Kwekwe High 5, Eaglesvale II 29;
Girls High 24, Royal College 10;
Goromonzi 10, Vainona 26; PE II 41, High Achievers 3. — sportszone.co.zw
Online Reporter