adminThe two clubs will meet again on Saturday in the final with Old Miltonians going in as favourites.
Old Miltonians won the inaugural competition in 2010 with Busters winning the 2011 and 2012 editions.
Western Panthers, top the log with 11 points from three matches. They hammered Bulldogs 41-0 in the first round, went on to beat city rivals Busters 43-0 and then lost 3-10 to Old Miltonians on Saturday.
George “Rollo” Mukorera, Western Panthers gaffer said changes to the team contributed to their downfall.
“It is good to be in the final and the boys have been rewarded for working hard. Saturday’s game was tight and we made a couple of mistakes which cost us dearly. We also changed the squad because some of our players missed training during the week and those who came in tried their best but failed to combine.
“Going into the final, we have to improve on a number of things like ball skills and combinations. We also have to work on our running. Old Miltonians and Busters have won this cup and now it should be our turn,” said Mukorera.
Budding 19-year-old Irvine “Bhuda” Nduwa who is Western Panthers’ Under-20 captain, centre player Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu, Lwazi Phulu and Tarisai Sibanda are Western Panthers’ potential matchwinners.
The players participated in the National Rugby League last year and Mukorera believes if they come to the party in the final, they will beat Old Miltonians.
On their way to the final, Old Miltonians did not have a perfect start as they narrowly lost 13-14 to Busters in their first match but managed to recover as they went on to beat Bulldogs 74-5 and Western Panthers 10-3.
Old Miltonians chairman Theo Weale praised his players for their victory against Western Panthers.
“This was a nice victory for us and hopefully we are going to beat them in the final. We were very much aware that Western Panthers were going to give us a tough game having watched their last encounters and what we had to do was catch them on a break and try as much as possible to keep the ball.
“The boys showed lots of character and if they carry that fighting spirit to the final, I am confident that we are going to lift the Zimbo Cup,” said Weale.
Some of the players that were in fine form against Western Panthers include former Plumtree High School duo of Mduduzi Nlegbwa-Dube and Presley Ndlovu, Tawanda Mhora, Andrea Banda, Kudzai Mashawi and Tinashe Toriro.
Results
Western Panthers 3, Old Miltonians 10; Busters 42, Bulldogs 5
Online Reporter