Harare teams dominate President’s Schools Rugby tournament
Story by Raynald Ngwarati
CHURCHILL and Prince Edward are set to meet in the final of the President’s Schools Rugby Cup tournament after Harare-based schools dominated the inaugural tourney.
Only two teams are left tournament after an entertaining semi-final at Harare Showgrounds this Wednesday.
Going into the semi-finals Wise Owl were the only team from outside Harare left in the competition and had an uphill task as they faced Rugby powerhouse Prince Edward.
The Marondera-based school put on a brave fight, which was, however, futile after they lost 17-11 to the second-ranked school in Zimbabwe.
On the other hand, Churchill got the bragging rights in an all-Harare affair, trouncing Mt Pleasant 52-3 to set up an epic final against the Tigers.
Meanwhile, the tournament has proven to be a game changer on the local scene, creating an opportunity for youngsters to have more game time as well as affording players from around Zimbabwe an opportunity to make it into the national team.
“It is very important from a Zimbabwean perspective, the reason is we only play eight games in a season. So it is just little if not just a drop in an iceberg. So what we need is more game time, more schools coming through on board so that we develop the game of rugby and then it’ll also be good for national team selection,” said Director of Sport at Prince Edward, Tawanda Jimu.
A Rugby development expert, Bobbie Odilo said, “Going forward, we want see more schools involved who are also less privileged to enter some of the prestigious tournaments. So, I think this tournament has opened up even for the guys who are also on the bottom. So, that’s a very good initiative.”
Attention now shifts to the much-awaited final pitting archrivals Churchill and Prince Edward who battle for gold at the Glamis Arena this Friday.
