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Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
FOCUS returns to the domestic rugby scene when champions Harare Sports Club take on bitter rivals and leaders Old Georgians in the Harare Province Rugby League tomorrow in one of the two night games set for the Lions Den.

Three games are set for Harare Sports Club with Police Defenders opening the day with a clash against Old Johannians Sports Club at 4pm before Old Hararians take on Mutare.

The bash between Sports Club’s Red Lions and the Dragons of Old Georgians closes the show at 7pm.

As teams have been banned from travelling at night and league secretary Chris Katogu indicated that Mutare were willing to play at night and have secured their accommodation in the capital.

Defenders captain Jonas Basikoro yesterday told The Herald that his side was enjoying a new ease of life under veteran coach Paul Gosho.

Having lost to Old Georgians (49-0) on the opening day, Police went on to suffer two more defeats at the hands of Old Hararians (36-7), before they were overpowered 51-11 by the defending champions last week.

“Gosho has helped us a lot and our game structure has improved in both defence and attack since he joined Police and we are very grateful to have him as part of our family.

“Despite the defeats, we have managed to register better score lines compared to last year’s results. Teams that used to score almost a hundred points like Old Hararians, Sports Club and OGs have not done so this year.

“We have been able to restrict them to much lower points at the same time breaching their defence lines on several occasions.

“And that is why we are aiming to win against OJs on Saturday, they are our main target in the league because we are almost at par.

“It is going to be a difficult game because they have always given us tough competition from last year, but we now know how they play and we have been watching them as well.

“We have worked hard for this game and we have managed to reduce our conceding rate in the second half against the big teams, hopefully we will be strong in defence and sharp in attack come Saturday evening,” said Basikoro.

With participation in the Gold Cup tournament at stake, the first round of games — that is 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.

Harare Province fixtures secretary Chris Katogu yesterday said the top three teams from Harare at the end of the first round plus the top team from the Southern Region will qualify for the semi-finals set for June 4.

Old Georgians are leading the Harare race with an unbeaten run of three having collected 15 points with the Old Boys just a point behind also unbeaten while Sports Club lie third on 11 points with one defeat (17-21) against Old Hararians.

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

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) — 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 — all games at Alex Sports Club.

Women: Hatcliffe Girls v Panthers, Cubs v XP Bokas — all games at Alex Sports Club.