Hamilton Masakadza stars in tense win

Hamilton Masakadza scored a valiant fourth-innings century to lead Easterns to a tense two-wicket victory against Northerns at the Country Club in Harare. Chasing a target of 329, Masakadza struck 142 and was the eight wicket to fall with the score on 319. The No. 9 Timycen Maruma remained unbeaten on 38 and secured the victory for Easterns. Northerns, however, were on top for the better part of the contest. They were dismissed for only 207 in their first innings with Natsai Mushangw taking 4 for 40 but they took a 61-run lead by restricting Easterns to only 146 in their first innings. Admire Manyumwa took 5 for 19 and Easterns were 76 for 7 at one stage before Forster Mutizwa's 52 lifted them over 100. Several Northerns' batsmen got starts in the second innings but only Cephas Zhuwawo got past fifty. However, despite Shingirai Masakadza's 5 for 102, Northerns managed 267 and left Easterns needing the highest total of the match for victory. In the end, the task was not beyond Hamilton.

A commanding bowling performance from Centrals' bowlers helped set up a comfortable nine-wicket victory against Westerns at the Harare Sports Club. Freedom Takarusenga was the only batsman to pass 20 in Westerns' first-innings. He scored 65 as Taurai Muzarabani took 4 for 46 to help dismiss Westerns for 145 in the 48th over. Centrals strengthened their advantage through half-centuries from Malcolm Waller and Ed Rainsford and useful lower-order contributions led them to 325, securing a lead of 180. Rainsford wrecked Westerns' second innings with the new ball, taking 6 for 34, and kept them to only 201. His superb performance left Centrals' batsmen with a meagre 22 to chase in the final innings.