The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
POWERHOUSES Falcon College and Christian Brothers College, as was expected dominated the Matabeleland schools rugby team announced at the provincial trials held at Hartsfield yesterday.
Falcon College contributed a total of 11 players while CBC had six chosen in the squad of 26 for the national trials to be staged at Gateway in Harare on Friday and Saturday. Petra had four, Plumtree two, Milton chipped in with one player together with Saint Columbus and Western Suburbs Select.
The squad starts training at Hartsfield tomorrow ahead of departure for Harare on Thursday. Former national player and coach Brendan Dawson as well Zimbabwe Under-23 forward Themba Phiri are the coaches.
Falcon College defeated CBC 29-5 in the final match of the trials which attracted a huge crowd, among them national cricket team coach, Heath Streak who is a Falcon Old Boy and Zimbabwe Rugby Union president, Nyararai Sibanda.
Selectors also chose an Under-17 squad for trials to be held at Gateway on the same days as the Under-19 assessment. The trials for Under-14 will take place at Falcon College on Friday and Saturday. At the trials, the youngsters will get an opportunity to be chosen in the Old Mutual sponsored national age group teams for the annual Coca-Cola Youth Weeks in South Africa in July.
Meanwhile, in Intercity Rugby League matches played at Hartsfield yesterday, Old Georgians drubbed Bulldogs 138-0 while Harare Sports Club defeated Matabeleland Warriors 31-8 in what were successful visits to Bulawayo for teams from the capital city. For Warriors, who were on top of the log heading into last weekend’s matches, yesterday’s defeat was their second in a row after they lost 26-0 to OGs in Harare.
In the capital city, Mutare Sports Club continued with their fine display with a 33-31 triumph over Old Johanians, Police Defenders were 24-22 victorious over Old Miltonians while Old Hararians drubbed Gweru Sports Club 50-3 in their own backyard.
Matabeleland Under-19 schools rugby squad
R Kwandini, T Mabhudhu, D King, J Charsley, Rainford, L Mokuele, Kadzere, T Catterall, J Allardice, S Sindaza, J Dawson(all Falcon College), J Lowe, M Moyo, T Famba, M Mabwe, G Tsikai(all Christian Brothers College), J Campbell, A Vander Westhuizen, T Nyamutsamba, N Tshuma (all Petra), M Mkhanda, C Mavbundura(both Plumtree) S Makonese (Milton), K Munyawiri(Saint Columbus), T Nyoni(Western Suburbs Select)
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