Warriors, Old Miltonians clash

Sport
WARRIORS will lock horns with their rivals Old Miltonians at Hartsfield Rugby Ground in a crucial reverse fixture in the Lion Larger National Rugby League

WARRIORS will lock horns with their bitter rivals Old Miltonians (OMs) at Hartsfield Rugby Ground in a crucial reverse fixture in the Lion Larger National Rugby League (NRL).

Vitalis Moyo Sports Reporter

The match will be the highlight of the day as Western Panthers host Harare Sports Club earlier on the day at the same venue.

With Panthers and Gweru Sports Club’s hopes for a spot in the semis dashed — having been docked five points each after the two sides used unregistered players in a league match — focus will be on the battle between Warriors and OMs for the semi-final position.

Not only is the clash a battle for a spot in the semi-final with this weekend’s result set to be a potential decider on who gets the fourth spot on the log, but it is also a contest for the city’s bragging rights.

All the three Harare-based sides in the NRL have sealed their place in the final stages in the league as they occupy the top three spots comfortably with Old Hararians leading the pack with 54 points while second-placed Old Georgians are nine points behind with two games in hand.

The defending champions are occupying third position with 32 points, eight points ahead of fourth-placed OMs. The Theo Weale-coached has had a good spell in the last few matches in the league which has seen them draw with Panthers and dismiss a determined Zvishavane Bulls 35-18 in last week’s clash.

The clash will be a do-or-die fixture for the Warriors as a loss to OMs will weaken their chances for a semi-final spot, as they are currently five points behind OMs on 19 points.

Weale said that his charges will be gunning for a victory in this weekend’s clash so as to enhance their chances for a place in this year’s NRL semi-finals.

“We know that Warriors will approach the game with great determination as we have heard that they have brought in some of their foreign-based players to beef up the squad. The players are thrilled with what we have done so far and the morale is high ahead of this weekend’s clash,” Weale added.