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Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
THIS year’s edition of the Dairibord Schools Rugby Festival proved to be the best hosted by Prince Edward in years given the quality on display by both traditional giants and the rising teams.There were very few mismatches as most of the teams were paired strength-on-strength while the girls’ teams showed vast improvement in theirgame compared to last year.

Prince Edward sports director Sebastian Garikai proved they have what it takes to host big events.

Falcon College, coached by former Sables coach Brandon Dawson, were clearly the best team at the festival and showed they are the team to beat this year in the schools league.

They won all their three games.

In their opening game last Tuesday the Mad Dogs beat Churchill Bulldogs 21-7, before a 74-0 thrashing of Watershed College and then a 18-15 win over the Peterhouse Kings.

With a very determined defence and a persistent attack, Falcon proved they have what it takes to rule the roost and their perfect run at the festival set up a good platform for their battle against the Prince Edward Tigers.

The two giants meet on Saturday in the opening fixture of the schools league.

The Kyle Vikings, under the guidance of Sables scrummy Charles Jiji, also registered a 100 percent winning record in the week-long event.

Opening their account with a 43-0 hiding of the Allan Wilson Sables, the Masvingo-based side were 17-0 victors over Eaglesvale as Jiji’s boys prevailed over his Sables mentor Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge’s Fire Spitters.

But they were not done yet as they won 26-14 against over Lomagundi Bisons to complete a memorable week in Harare.

The Tigers and their flair

Deservingly, the Tigers won the award for the team with the best flair.

Although they effectively played only two games, they were by far the most entertaining side at this year’s festival given their pacey back-line that had an eye for the gap.

Captain Kudakwashe Ndoro led a well-drilled side who presented a flowing game, had a mobile pack and their running lines were clear.

The tragedy that shook

the festival

The Peterhouse/Prince Edward game had to be cancelled moments before it was due to get underway after Cuan Zederburg’s mother was involved in a fatal accident on her way to Prince Edward.

The Tigers ended up playing their second string side, winning 28-12.

On Thursday, all teams wore black armbands in honour of Zederburg’s mother while a moment of silence was observed before the Kings’ 40-0 win over Midlands Christian College.

The worst team

The Churchill Bulldogs turned on one of their worst performances at the festival as they lost all their three first XVs games while one of their junior sides’ game against Eaglesvale was cancelled because of an alleged age-cheating incident.

With Churchill fielding about five over-aged players in their Under-16 game against Eaglesvale, the game was abandoned and ‘Vale were awarded a win.

Geff Madhake’s Bulldogs showed poor handling skills, their defence was not up to scratch and so was the attack, but they have the potential to do better once the season gets underway.

Developing schools

Non-traditional rugby showed a lot of improvement, not only in terms of technical know-how or skill, but the way they dressed as well with standard, smart and clean playing kits.

Most of them are well disciplined and have also displayed better playing skill compared to the past years.

Marlborough High School – who have offered a number of scholarships to their players – led the way and Glen View’s Royal College, having recruited former Zimbabwe Rugby Union development officer Jimmy Chikange.

Vainona once again showed they remain the top team in the girls category after winning all three games.

They had the best attack, and the best defence, as witnessed by their results in which they beat George Stark (32-0), Goromonzi (40-0) and a 11-5 win over Girls High.

They conceded just a try.

They were simply the best.