adminIt was Gweru Sports Club who enjoyed an early advantage as they went 13-0 up with six minutes of play courtesy of tries from skipper Kilven Magunje, second centre Charles Gwanzura with both conversions missed by Magunje and a converted penalty kicked in by Magunje.
Panthers found their way back into the game, former Zimbabwe Sables captain Victor Olonga showed that he is not finished and displayed individual brilliance to score under the posts with Mayibongwe Ncube kicking in the conversion.
The home side had their second try 11 minutes later with another veteran Silethokuhle Ndlovu going over and Ncube’s conversion gave Panthers a 14-13 lead. Panthers further stretched their lead when Olonga booted in a penalty with five minutes to go.
Magunje made sure his side went into the halftime break ahead when he scored his second try which Tonderai Bvumbe converted. Soon after the start of the second half, the scores were level 20-20 after Ncube booted in a penalty.
Gweru had their fourth try 17 minutes into the second half when Gary Mathuthu went over with Magunje missing the conversion. With eight minutes left on the clock, Panthers recorded their third try from their captain Kudakwashe Chimukuyu with Ncube’s conversion giving the home side a two-point lead.
Panthers scored their fourth try which guaranteed them a bonus point when prop Zenzele Ncube was driven over the line with Mayibongwe Ncube making sure of the two extra points with a successful conversion.
Gweru Sports Club displayed unsporting behaviour at the end of the match when, led by Magunje, they hounded referee Nothando Ndlovu, blaming her for their defeat. Their coach Zwelonke Mloyiswa claimed that Ndlovu was killing the game of rugby with her refereeing.
In another NRL fixture played at the same venue earlier, title-chasing Matabeleland Warriors showed no mercy on bottom of the log and winless Airforce. Warriors scored 14 tries, five of them converted while struggling Airfoce could not even get any points on the board.
The other Bulawayo side in the league Old Miltonians lost 74-30 to Old Hararians while log leaders Harare Sports Club maintained their unbeaten run with a 30-29 triumph over defending champions Red Seal Old Georgians.
Online Reporter