Mikia Kalati
Giants and NUL Spears clash at LCS Ground on Saturday in the final of the 2015 Lesotho Rugby Championship.
Spears outplayed Maseru Warriors 42-0 in the first semi-final played at LCS Ground last Saturday, before Giants beat Mabote Beavers by a similar score-line in the other penultimate match of the tournament to set-up what promises to be a thrilling final.
After winning a silver medal at the recent Intervarsity Games held in Botswana, Spears were extremely motivated against Warriors, resulting in the convincing win.
In the second semi, Giants lived up to their favourites tag, and steamrolled over Beavers as they coasted to a comfortable win.
Giants spokesperson, Napo Mapuru, told the Lesotho Times that a lot would be at stake in Saturday’s final.
“NUL Spears have proved to be a very competitive side, which is why they are in the final. That means we have to be well-prepared to conquer them and win the championship,” Mapuru said.
“There is no doubt that the final is going to be very tough, but we would want to win the competition so badly and confirm our status as the biggest rugby club in Lesotho.”
Mapuru said Giants were also favourites going into the weekend decider, and would live-up to expectations.
“This is going to be a massive test for us, but I believe we remain the better team. However, we have to prove this on the field of play come Saturday.”
However, a NUL Spears player, Letlatsa Letompa, on Tuesday told the Lesotho Times that the upcoming final could go either way as they were also determined to win the tie.
“We have a score to settle with Giants, who beat us at the same stage last year,” Letompa said.
“We know very well that Giants are a very strong team, but we have been hard at training preparing for this match, so anything is possible in this final.
“We also won a silver medal at the Intervarsity Games that ended two weeks ago in Botswana, so we are also extremely motivated to win this competition.”
Meanwhile, losing semi-finalists Maseru Warriors and Mabote Beavers would curtain-raise for the final beginning at 2pm, as they battle for third-position. The main game of the day, the final, starts at 4pm.
