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Cyprian Mandenge

Paul Munyuki Sport Reporter
OLD HARARIANS stormed into their first National Rugby League Cup final in six years following a ghastly destruction of Bulawayo giants Mat ‘land Warriors to mark their best season since 2007.
Classy they have been this season suffering only one defeat at the hands of Old Georgians — a side they meet again in the final on Saturday at Old Hararians after they got the better of bitter rivals Harare Sports Club in a Harare derby semi-final.

The Old Boys mercilessly beat the Warriors 47-15 and one could not believe this was the same side that made it to the final last year given the way OH dominated proceeding at Old Georgians Sports Club on Saturday. Defending champions Harare Sports Club were just but a pale shadow of their former self, played dirty and this did not help their cause as well as they suffered a 22-33 loss to hosts Old Georgians.
The last time Old Hararians were in the final was in 2005 and they had last reached a final in 2007.

Over the years they had been falling in the earlier rounds with a semi-final finish being their best.
But on Saturday they gave a different account of themselves to maintain a good run of perfect form they have had during this season to book a date against Old Georgians who they will be meeting for the third time this season.

By half-time, the Old boys had taken a 20-7 lead but it was in the second half where they gave a better account of themselves coming back from the break a stronger side to add 25 points to eight for the Warriors.

But there was a closely fought game between the Red Lions and the Dragons where by half time the Lions were trailing 10-23, tried to fight back in the second half where they added another 12 points but OGs responded well to put in 10 more and run out winners.

This is also the first time in six years that the Red Lions have missed on a league final as they have been involved in all the last five finals while Old Georgians missed last year’s final.

But Grant Mitchell’s OGs showed their hunger and intention to at least be amongst the top two sides this year and with just over five minutes Sports Club gave in to pressure, made defensive blunders and gifted Kevin Murray with a touchdown.

Characteristically, the Dragons made good use of their forward pack and capitalised when the Lions made a mistake but this time it was Boyd Rous penalty that extended the lead to 8-0 — something they never let go of until the end of the 80 minutes.

Cheetahs rookie Stephan Hunduza showed that his recent inclusion in the Sevens side that toured South Africa two weeks ago was no fluke with a good run from his own 22 metre area and this was the first time in just over 20 minutes that Sports Club found a way past the the Dragons defence for a converted try. Former Zimbabwe Under-20 speed star Kudakwashe Chiwanza extended the Dragons lead with a converted try before his forwards came back to haunt Nsikelelo “Sykes” Sibanda with a Rous converted Pieter Joubert push over try prior to another Rous penalty. But much of the happiness and glory is with Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge and his Old Hararians charges who were led by captain Tichafara Makwanya for their first league final appearance in half a decade.