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 on Saturday in one of the two night games set for the Lions Den.

Three games are set to take place at Harare Sports Club with Police Defenders opening the day with a clash against Old Johannians Sports Club at 4pm before Old Hararians facing off against Mutare while 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 traveling at night, league secretary Chris Katogu indicted that Mutare were willing to play at night and have secured own accommodation in the capital.

Defenders captain Jonas Basikoro yesterday told The Herald that his side is enjoying new ease of life under veteran coach Paul Gosho who joined the uniformed force’s side at the beginning of this season though they are yet to register a win.

 Having lost to Old Georgian’s (49-0) on the opening day, Police went on to suffer two more defeat 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 defeat, 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 wenow 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.

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.