adminWestern Panthers got sweet revenge over a club that beat them in last year’s final.
Western Panthers top the log with 10 points from two matches. They hammered Bulldogs 41-0 in the first round while their weekend opponents had narrowly beaten Old Miltonians 14-13 in the first round.
George “Rollo” Mukorera, Western Panthers gaffer was ecstatic with his charges’ performance but said they have to work on their weaknesses.
“This was a good victory for my boys, we are on fire this year and we just have to win this cup. As you are aware, Old Miltonians won the inaugural tournament in 2010 with Busters lifting it twice and this time around it’s our turn.
“We have to improve on a number of areas like ball handling as well as work out on our combinations,” said Mukorera.
Nineteen-year-old Irvine “Bhuda” Nduwa, one of the emerging rugby talents in Bulawayo and Western Panthers’ Under-20 captain, centre player Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu, Lwazi Phulu and Tarisai Sibanda are Western Panthers’ game breakers according to Mukorera.
The trio participated in the National Rugby League last year and their coach believes with time they will take local rugby by storm.
Busters coach Sean Robinson conceded defeat and said Western Panthers deserved to win.
“We were very much unsettled and we came across a good, well organised Western Panthers. We just have to go back to the drawing board and work on our shortcomings ahead of our game against Bulldogs.
“We are not throwing in the towel as we want to make it into the final and defend our title. Remember, even last year they beat us in the group stage but we got the better of them in the final,” said Robinson.
Busters who face struggling Bulldogs in their last group game will be praying that Western Panthers beat Old Miltonians this weekend. If Old Miltonians lose to Western Panthers and Busters win their game, the final is likely to be a repeat of last season.
Results
Western Panthers 43, Busters 0; Old Miltonians 74, Bulldogs 5
Log
P W L Pts
Panthers 2 2 0 10
Old Miltonians 2 1 1 6
Busters 2 1 1 4
Bulldogs 2 0 0 0
Online Reporter