Harare Sports Club are now the favourites to win this year’s three-legged Spar Summer Sevens (7s) Series after winning the opening leg at Old Georgians Sports Club on Saturday.
They registered a 39-10 victory over Bulawayo side Busters.
The win thrust Harare Sports Club firmly in the driving seat and are now favourites to win this year’s series ahead of the decisive two tournaments which will be held on their home turf.
Danny Hondo, the Harare Sports Club, skipper said adherring to basics and not underrating any of their opponents won the day for his squad.
“We just told ourselves to stick to basics and make sure we won all our matches. Obviously this meant that we had to take all our opponents seriously to avoid any upsets. Hopefully we will continue playing well in the next legs and ensure we win the series,” said Hondo in an interview.
The soft spoken national 15s team captain and 7s vice-captain also praised the performances of both the younger and experienced players in his team.
“The experienced players like Tangai Nemadire, Cleopas Makotose and Shingi Mpofu, who hasn’t played a lot of 7s rugby in the past did very well for us. There were also some good displays from the youngsters like Terrence Hunduza, who I must say had a brilliant tournament,” said Hondo.
The hosts and defending champions Old Georgians had gone into the tournament clear favourites to defend their title on their home turf, but were shocked 14-7 by a determined Busters team in the semis.
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With the victory the Gilbert Nyamutsamba-coached squad which was boosted by quality players such as speed merchant Lloyd Machanjaire, Japhet Ndebele and Terence Kuvarega, brought to an end the dominance by Harare teams in domestic tournaments.
Harare Sports Club on the other hand, booked their place in the final after a hard-fought 29-16 win over tournament dark horses ZRP Police.
Twelve clubs took part in the first leg of the series which will culminate in the selection of a national 7s team and the Goshawks team to take part in the inaugural Spar International 7s tournament slated for Harare Sports Club from March 3-4.
Regional teams such as the Emerging Springboks, Sharks, Pumas, South African Buffalos, Zambia and Botswana have already confirmed their participation.
