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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
AN exciting top-of-the-table clash is on the cards in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Darts League when Archers take on defending champions Railstars at Archers Sports Club tonight.

The two teams are tied on six points from six outings and have the same stats, but will be separated after tonight’s game.

Archers, who won the league in 2014, said they want to reclaim the title, with captain Ernest Sibanda confident of victory.

“We’re well prepared for this game and ready to collect maximum points. I know that with the attitude my team has, we want nothing short of victory. Railstars won’t be getting anything on a silver platter this year; they have to work for it,” said Sibanda.

Archers will pin their hopes on the quartet of Bornface Maningi, Tawanda Albert, Wilfred Chikakatira and Brian Ndlovu, but Railstars are no pushovers and should be geared up for the encounter.

Railstars captain Charles Widzisa said they have to beat the best for them to be champions.

“We’re the defending champions and everyone wants to beat us. We’ve to show character and show that winning the championship last season wasn’t a fluke. A victory against strong opposition like Archers will certainly send a statement that we mean business and want to defend our title,” Widzisa.

Railstars’ trump cards are Sylvester Mudekwa, Patrick Zimidzi, Ndabezinhle Ngwenya, Meli Tshuma and Mgcini Nkala. The five were part of the Bulawayo provincial team that took part in the National Darts Association of Zimbabwe (Ndaz) Provincial Championships held in Gweru during the Easter holidays.

The losers of the Archers-Railstars tie may find themselves dropping into fourth place on the table should Parkview Lions and Zimbabwe School of Mines win their respective matches against Support Unit Fairbridge and Parkview Khanka.

Lions and School of Mines also have six points each, but have an inferior score difference to Archers and Railstars.

Fixtures

Today: Archers v Railstars (Archers Sports Club), Bellevue v Khami (Bllevue Sports Club), Highlanders v How Mine (Clubhouse), Parkview Khanka v Zim School of Mines (Parkview Sports Club), Support Unit Fairbridge v Parkview Lions (Parkview), Wise Waters v Queens (Wise waters), ZRP Bulawayo v Mbizo Barracks (Drill Hall)