Old Georgians . . . (10) 39 Old Hararians . . . (0) 17 ZIMBABWE club rugby powerhouses Old Georgians overcame a spirited fightback from local rivals Old Hararians at Morris Depot yesterday to earn the sole ticket to represent the country in the inaugural South Africa Rugby Union (Saru) Gold Cup later this year.
BY KENNEDY NYAVAYA Led by impressive flyhalf Lenience Tambwera and centre Boyd Rouse, Old Georgians never looked like relinquishing the initiative in the winner-takes-all encounter after getting off to a bright start with an early penalty.
Old Hararians, who were without most of their senior players due to injuries, initially fought hard in the first half and only allowed one try to pass their line as well as in the early minutes of the second half.
The Milton Park-based side’s lack of match fitness however, let them down as they ran out of steam for the rest of the second half, conceding five tries easily while only responding with two tries of their own.
Old Georgians coach Grant Mitchell said his charges were ready for the task ahead of their participation in the prestigious competition, which features clubs from South Africa and Namibia. “It was a hard-fought final to secure a place representing Zimbabwe in the Gold Cup and special thanks go to South Africa Rugby Union, Zimbabwe Rugby Union and Police Sports Club for making it possible,” said the former Zimbabwe Sevens rugby star.
“Obviously, there is a big responsibility now it’s not only Old Georgians alone, but the responsibility is to represent Zimbabwe rugby.”
Old Georgians will host atleast two matches in the inaugural Gold Cup competition, where they were drawn in Pool C alongside South African club side False Bay, Durban Collegians, White River Rugby Club and a yet to be confirmed club.
Zimbabwe’s representatives will take on hosts Cape Town’s Direct Axis False Bay on September 24 before hosting Durban Collegians the following week.
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However, this will be after first travelling to Mpumalanga where they will face off against White River Rugby Club in the opening round on September 10, while their final group game will come against qualifiers from Valke.
The winners and runners’ up from each of the four pools will make it to the quarter finals, with the respective group winners earning an automatic home quarter-finals fixture set for October 15.
