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Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
THE Dragons invade the Lions’ Den tonight, hoping to erase painful memories of the defeat they suffered against Harare Sports Club in the Harare Province Rugby League final last year.

Champions, Harare Sports Club, clash against log leaders Old Georgians at Sports Club tonight in a 7pm kick-off encounter that will be crucial in both sides’ campaign for a place in the South African Gold Cup club competition.

Flyhalf Lenience Tambwera will be facing his former paymasters for the first time in league games since he crossed the great divide late last year, to the Dragons of Groombridge from Harare Sports Club where he joined Stephan Hunduza.

Sports Club will not have the services of coach Daniel Hondo, who has joined St George’s College as assistant coach to Brandon Brider while his assistant and Young Sables assistant Bob Mahari will be away at Kyle College with the Bulldogs of Churchill.

This means the Red Lions will be technically handicapped, but will have to rise to the occasion given the rivalry between the two sides.

There is a great deal of responsibility on captain Shingi Mpofu’s shoulders and manager Matthias Bvepfepfe.

And, in their starting line-up, the Dragons have nine players who were part of the starting XV that lost 19-20 against Harare Sports Club in last season’s title-decider with veterans Jacques Leitao, Fortune Chipendu, Keith Murray and Piete Joubert.

Kyle de Beer, Kudzai Muzorewa, Stephan Hunduza, Daniel Capsopoulos and Boyd Rouse complete part of the Dragons’ army that were edged last year and their biggest acquisition during the off season, Tambwera, was with the Red Lions. Three games are set to take place at Harare Sports Club with Police Defenders opening the day with a clash against Old Johannians Sports Club at 4pm before Old Hararians date Mutare while the bash between Sports Club’s Red Lions and the Dragons of Old Georgians closes the show at 7pm.

Third-placed Sports Club have already suffered defeat this season, their loss coming against rivals Old Hararians two weeks ago while OGs are yet to lose after winning three out of three games.

With participation in the Gold Cup tournament at stake, the first round of games — expected to be concluded next weekend — is being used as a selection platform for a team that will represent Zimbabwe in the South African tournament.

Alex XP Horns will host the Harare Metro and Women’s League games at Alex Sports Club today starting at 10am with Hatcliffe Girls taking on Panthers while XP Bokos host the Cubs in the women’s games.

Squads:

OG’s 1-15: Pieter Joubert, Keith Murray, Murangari Zvikomborero, Kyle de Beer, Fortune Chipendu, Kudzai Muzorewa, Jacques Leitao, Kingsley Lang, (captain), Ryan Sparke, Lenience Tambwera, Stephan Hunduza, Boyd Rouse, Daniel Capsopoulos, Farai Jijita, Kudakwashe Chiwanza.

Substitutes: Graham Cochrane, Farai Lioga, Jakov Jakov, Cornlious Rudziva, Tafadzwa Mukonyora, David McWade, Chido Kapenzi, Josh Rowe.

Fixtures:

A-League: Police Defenders v Old Johannians (4pm), Old Hararians v Mutare Sports Club (5.40pm) Harare Sports Club v Old Georgians Sports Club (7pm)

NB: All games at Harare Sports Club.

Metro League: Hatcliffe v XP Horns II, Harare Sports Club II v Airforce, Old Johannians II v Mufakose, XP Horns v Old Hararians II

NB: All games at Alex Sports Club.

Women: Hatcliffe Girls v Panthers, Cubs v XP Bokas –

NB: All games at Alex Sports Club.