Most non-traditional rugby playing schools, especially from the high-density suburbs and rural areas, took to the field yesterday but the performance by the George Stark girls’ side was exceptional

The Mbare side beat the fancied Eaglesvale 32-5.
While most of the spectators were interested in the boys’ matches, they were surprised by the good show that the Gertrude

Mushawatu-coached side exhibited.
George Stark dominated in the scrums, lineouts, and their passing was just superb and it was difficult to believe the girls were playing a XVs game, at this level, for the first time.
George Stark — just like the other schools — were given a month’s notice to adjust from the Sevens version to the longer game.

Mushawatu revealed that hard work helped the players turn on the magic.
“We always train hard as we do it (training) everyday and go to the gym and I am very pleased with the way the girls played.
“I believe they can match or even beat some of the boys’ teams here.

“Determination, team work and speed saw us dominate and the good thing about our side is that they managed to quickly adapt to the XVs game because all along we have been playing Sevens and this is the first time playing XVs,” said Mushawatu.

With the organisers excited about the talent out of Mbare, the side has been promoted to play in the main field as a curtain-raiser to the main game where the Goshawks will take on the JWRT Under-20 side tomorrow
The side is co-captained by Creator Mutendebvure and Tambudzai Murambiwa and coach Mushawatu added that the large player base they have worked as an advantage.

“We are very fortunate that there are a lot of players with interest in the sport at our school so we have a large player base and when we played Sevens we would make sure we rotated the players.

“This is because we did not want the substitutes to lose heart and today this has paid dividends and I am overwhelmed by the way the girls played.

“However, I think that we could have done better because some of our players are not here as they have gone for holidays and we have three new players in the side.

“But with the performance they put up today I am sure we will get more support from the school authorities as they will see that the resources are being put to good use and are yielding results,” said Mushawetu.

In the boy’s category, Marondera side Watershed College were among the biggest winners as they walloped Bulawayo’s Sobukazi 53-0 in a mismatch.

The other match saw Lord Malvern getting the better of Kambarami of Murewa 32-0 with man-of-the-match Blessings Nyahasha in inspirational form.

“I am very happy to be honoured with this medal of man-of-the-match.

“I give credit to my teammates as I did not win this alone, it was through their help that I managed to be a winner,” said Nyahasha.
Prince Edward U-16 team beat the only international team, Kenya U-16, 16-15.

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