RUGBY fans in Bulawayo will today enjoy a festivity of rugby action as the city’s three Lion Lager National Rugby League (NRL) representatives host travelling sides in matches that will be played at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds.
Report by Vitalis Moyo
Western Panthers will kick start the weekend games as they take on Gweru Sports followed by the match between Old Miltonians (OMs) and Harare Sports Club (HSC).
Matabeleland Warriors will take on Zvishavane Bulls in another match.
The only other NRL fixture for the weekend is in Harare where a potentially entertaining clash is lined up as Grant Mitchell’s Old Georgians host city rivals Old Hararians at Old Georgians.
Both sides opened up their 2013 season campaigns with big wins last weekend.
Old Georgians taught newly promoted Zvishavane Bulls a lesson of top flight rugby clobbering them 50-0, while Old Hararians recorded an emphatic 80-3 victory over Old Miltonians.
The Gorge “Rollo” Mukorera’s Panthers side will be heading into today’s clash against the Gweru side oozing with confidence after they stunned a star studded Warriors side 21-20 in a Bulawayo derby last week.
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Mukorera yesterday told NewsDay Sport that the game against the Gweru side is unpredictable,but his side is geared up for encounter. “Our game plan is to keep the ball in the forwards and to use technique as well as kicking. Our opponents play a fast game of rugby so it is going to be an interesting encounter,” Mukorera said.
Gweru Sports Club will be hoping to steal the points this time around following a 56-12 hammering at the hands of the defending champions Harare Sports Club.
Meanwhile, Warriors coach Ruben Kumpasa said today’s game will be a chance for them to redeem themselves.
Warriors, who were last year’s runners up, were undone by poor ball handling, slip ups and lack of aggression on the goal scoring front in last week’s loss to Panthers.
OMs will be out to prove a point as they host the reigning champions HSC in what will be a tough encounter for Theo Weale side following their humiliation in their first match.
