Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
RUGBY enthusiasts in Manicaland will be in for a treat when a total of 18 men and women’s teams clash in the explosive local Rugby 7s tournament that will roll into life at Mutare Sports Club tomorrow (Saturday).
Last year, the competition, saw nine teams participating in the men category.
The number has increased to 14 teams this year.
From the two teams that participated in the women’s category last year, four teams will clash this time around.
Manicaland Rugby Board chairperson, Mos Kapumha was impressed with the interest and number of teams taking part in the competition.
“We are excited with the increase in the numbers of teams that will be taking part in this year’s edition of the competition. This is ample evidence of the growth of the game of rugby in the province, and Mutare in particular. We are strictly registering teams with players from Manicaland.
“The tournament is on this Saturday (tomorrow), and matches are likely to be finished the next day at Mutare Sports Club. Team registration is pegged at US$20, and Casper Bandi is handling that aspect of the competition,” he said.
The tournament kick-starts the Manicaland 7s season, and then moves to the circuit, districts and then ghetto rugby.
“We are confident that we will have all the Manicaland clubs participating in these competitions,” he added.
In the men’s category, competition is expected to be stiff, with two teams from Rockstars, Africa University and Old Crestonians, respectively; Mutare Sports Club, Phoenix Club, Bateleurs Chikanga, Eastern Giants, Chipinge, Nyazura Wild Cats, Rusape Wolves and Spartans, battling for supremacy.
For the women’s category, Spartans, Eastern Giants, Mutare Sports Club and Bullet will battle it out for the bragging rights.
In last year’s edition, Old Crestonians One dominated the competition, with Mutare Sports Club settling for the bridesmaids’ slot.
Old Crestonians Two came third, while Spartans earned fourth position.
Rock Stars were fifth.
Eastern Giants was on sixth position, while Old Boys came out seventh.
Bateleurs Chikanga settled for eighth position, while Rusape anchored the table on ninth position.
For the ladies’ category, which only had two teams, Spartans got the better of Eastern Giants.
Some individual accolades presented in the previous edition, saw Wayne Nehanga being named the most valuable player, while Nomsa Madekurozwa received the same recognition in the ladies’ category.
Top try scorers for the men’s competition was Prince Marange, while Audrey Manase was the top try scorer for the ladies’ contest.
