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Rueben Kumpasa

Sports Reporter
MATABELELAND Busters are fancying their chances of landing a National Rugby League home semi-final following their convincing 28-12 win over Old Georgians on Saturday.
The star-studded Bulawayo rugby club are confident of repeating their 2011 feat which saw them go all the way to the final which they lost to Harare Sports Club.
Rueben Kumpasa, the Matabeleland Busters coach, heaped praises on his charges for a disciplined performance against Old Georgians and said they have since turned their focus on collecting maximum points against Old Hararians this weekend.

“The guys lived up to expectations against Old Georgians and it wasn’t a surprise at all to us because we have been playing good rugby of late. What we have to do is to maintain the momentum and keep on working hard so that we amass as many points as possible to enable us to get a home semi-final. Actually the chances of having a home semi-final are high and what we have to do is win all our remaining games which is very much possible.

“Right now we are directing our energies to the upcoming home game against defending champions Old Hararians who beat Old Miltonians. Hopefully, we will have a fully fit side because we had four of our regular senior players missing when we beat Old Georgians,” said Kumpasa.

Matabeleland Busters missed the services of national team lock Schalk Ferreira, flanker Tino Ganiwa, eighthman Moses Makhiwa and prop Aubrey Dube who is nursing a groin injury.

Kumpasa had to deploy Dumi Bhebhe and young Irvine Nduwa as locks against Old Georgians with Lucky Sithole playing as eighthman while Jan Ferreira was thrown to the flank.

Budding star Lawrence Clemenson impressed as a prop.
“The good thing is that we have depth in our squad with youngsters like Nduwa, Clemenson, Sandile Lupwala, Mkhululi Ndlela and Tarisai Mugabiri who are all under the age of 20 years complementing senior players. It is the enthusiasm to do better with every passing game that makes us be a team to beat and the fluidity in our game has been marvelous and what we have to do is keep our feet on the ground,” Kumpasa said.

Meanwhile, the match between Zvishavane Bulls and Western Panthers was cancelled because the Midlanders have a pending disciplinary case with the National Rugby League after failing to provide a full squad for their game against Old Hararians a fortnight ago.

“The NRL management is yet to meet on Zvishavane bulls who fielded nine players for a league game. The general feeling is that we can’t have teams undermining the league and as such, Zvishavane Bulls will meet the NRL so that their fate is determined. This is a national league not a social competition where you decide whether to field players or not,” said Theo Weale, a member of the NRL management.

Results
Saturday: Old Miltonians 0-32 Old Hararians, Busters 28-12 Old Georgians, Mutare Sports Club 18-10 Gweru Sports Club, Zvishavane Bulls v Western Panthers (cancelled), Harare Sports Club (bye)