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Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
HARARE Sports Club have picked their best form in two years and underlined this by beating bitter rivals Old Hararians in the National Rugby League last weekend.
This was the first time in three matches they have managed to get the better of the Old Boys, who beat them home and away last season, on their way to lifting the rugby league championship for the first time in a decade.

For the Red Lions, the victory could not have come at a better time given that they have managed to register wins over giants Old Georgians and defending champions Old Hararians.

Having suffered a 32-36 defeat to Old Georgians two weeks ago, the Old Boys failed to recover from that loss as Sportivo rubbed salt into the wounds and extended their stay at the top of the standings.

They also extended their unbeaten run in the league.

They are the only side yet to taste defeat in the nine-team competition, their worst performance having come away to Busters two weeks ago where they scrapped a 14-14 draw against the Bulawayo side.

That the Old Boys lost to Sports Club was not only good for the Red Lions but also for Old Georgians who were third, prior to the weekend games, but an impressive 87-0 thrashing of hapless Zvishavane Bulls helped them to jump into second place on the table.

With only two rounds of matches to go before the mid-season mark, Sport Club are five points ahead of second-placed Old Georgians as they have 26 points from six games, with five wins and a draw, having collected four bonus points.

Like the Old Boys, the Dragons from Groombridge have a game in hand but have suffered one defeat, and won four games, giving them a three-point advantage over third-placed Old Hararians who only have 18 points from three wins.

However, the bragging rights remain with the Red Lions.

They came from behind last weekend, having trailed 13-20 at half-time, only to turn it around in the second half for a sweet comeback victory.

Team manager Blessing Chiutare believes the weekend results put them in a very good position but wants cool heads in his camp.

“It’s a step closer to where we are going, Old Hararians are a big team our game against them is always the biggest of the season to us and coming out with a win is always exciting but we have to guard against complacency,” said Chiutare.

“The season still has a long way to go.

“Our comeback in the second half was because we noticed that Old Hararians were watching our back-line and so we had to switch to our forwards and that is where our second half tries came from showing that we have a balanced team.”

A try by eighth-man Takunda Chifokoyo converted by Tichafara Makwanya, who also added three penalties, and another by flank Taurai Jani gave the Old Boys their first half points but in the second half they only managed a try by Tawanda Chowe.

The Sports Club attack was led by Taddy Whata who top scored with 14 points from the boot and a try while Philemon Machisa weighed in with 10 points from two tries with Kudakwashe Chisepo and Osborne Muhambi adding a try each.

In the Bulawayo derby Busters beat city rivals Western Panthers 51-19 with Old Miltonians defeating Gweru Sports Club 34-25.