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Mbachi Mutukula-Maregere Sports Reporter
PRINCE Edward School coach Shaun De Souza has expressed concern over poor officiating by some of the referees handling schools’ matches in the country. De Souza told The Herald that there were inconsistencies in the manner the matches were being handled and feels the referees must have the same interpretation of laws.

The coach said the officials should avoid mixing up the Under-20 laws with those for the Under-18 game.
“One thing I have learnt in my rookie season as coach of the Tigers is how inconsistent our referees are.

“We have had four referees who officiated eight of our matches and I could not believe how one can change the interpretation of the law in seven days.

“If referees can be consistent, we as coaches will be able to improve the style of rugby in the country.
“It’s sad to see that St John’s College and Falcon College had to request a match official from South Africa after they had issues with our referees.

“Rugby cannot do without referees. We just need to have the same interpretation of the game and we will all be happy. In South Africa, the referees try to be consistent with the interpretation of the law,” De Souza said.

Meanwhile, De Souza believes the Tigers had a very good season.
“Prince Edward were a force in the Sevens’ tournaments where they were runners-up in the Eaglesvale and Peterhouse tournaments.

“The Tigers won the Zimbabwe Invitational tournament, going unbeaten all the way to the Cup final where we beat Eaglesvale in a thrilling tie.
“On the way to the final we beat Churchill, St John’s College, Hellenic, Eaglesvale and Mbare Academy.

“The 2014 has been a good year for rugby on the whole, with positive results at Under-14 and Under-16 levels, though in Under-18 we did not reap the results we hoped for,”said De Souza.

The Tigers also lost to rivals Churchill.
“Prince Edward rugby has done well with boys representing Zimbabwe Sevens at the Youth Games in Botswana coming home with bronze.
“We had outstanding players in Ernest Mudzengerere, Tatenda Matoramusha, Kudakwashe Ndoro, Tristan Moses, Shingi Katsvere and Jeff Makoni who also represented Zimbabwe Under-18 at Craven Week,” said De Souza.