Bulldogs Volley Team Finish Second in Malawi

The Winstonian Bulldogs were the pride of the Zimbabwean teams that took part at the Zone VI Volleyball Club championships in Lilongwe, Malawi.

The Eastlea-based side finished second after suffering a 3-0 defeat at the hands of defending champions Botswana Defence Forces VI in the final of the tournament. This means that the Zimbabweans are now seeded second in southern Africa, two places from the fourth position they held before taking part in this tournament. BDF remains the top club. Last year, the Bulldogs finished fourth in Swaziland after they suffered a 3-2 defeat to BDF VI and this year they managed to reach the final.

But the Bulldogs -who were drawn in the same Pool B with fellow countrymen Koba, Katoto Trickers of Malawi and BDF VI - lost two matches and both were against the Botswana army side. Initially six Zimbabwean teams had confirmed their participation but only two men's sides - Koba and the Bulldogs - took part.

Two women's sides - Stars and Thunder - arrived after the tournament was over. "It does not make sense that the teams arrive here when the games are already over and expect us to do something because we had told them not to come before they left but well, they are here," said the Zone VI volleyball secretary general Godfrey Mudongo. However, Zimbabwe's best performing team - Bulldogs - had a good tournament. Bulldogs coach Arron Mtede was pleased with the way his side played despite their defeat in the final. "I am generally happy with the way the boys played even though we suffered two defeats in the first round and in the final to the same team.

"If we look at the way we played, we can see that there are only a few areas that need attention in the team because our points were so close," said Mtede. The Bulldogs proved to be the team that gave the favourites their stiffest test in a close contest which they lost 23-25, 23-25, 24-26.

"We have a young side with an average age of 22 and compared to BDF who are in their 30s our side still has a lot of time on its side and I'm sure that next year we will be able to bring the trophy home," said Mtede.