Club cricket report

A consistent Mutare Sports Club ended Old Hararians' reign as the National League champions when they clinched the title on 10 February ahead of Old Georgians by virtue of a superior net run rate.

Mutare beat Bulawayo Sports Club by nine wickets in a rearranged match while OGs thumped third-placed Universals by a massive 162 runs in another rearranged match. The Universals /OGs match had to be played on 9 February to avoid inconveniencing the Mashonaland Vigne Cup programme set for the 10th.

The Universals attack could not breach the OGs top order and could only take two wickets in 50 overs. The visitors piled up 239 for two with Craig Wishart unbeaten on 85 while Barney Rogers was 72 not out. The only wickets to fall were those of openers Lance Malloch-Brown (33) and Grant Flower (31). The Universals batting was equally lethargic as they were dismissed for a mere 77 in 25.5 overs. An unheralded Alan Shamuyarira took three wickets for nine runs off 2.5 overs while Gus Mackay claimed three for 24 off eight overs.

The win gave OGs a three-point lead at the top of the standings but this only lasted 24 hours as Mutare romped to an expected victory over a winless Bulawayo Sports Club. BSC batted first and were all out for 77 in 38.5 overs with a top score of just 18 from Dash Vaghmaria. Iain Coulson took three wickets for two runs in three overs while Richard Sims took two for 10 off nine overs. Mutare reached 81 for one in 19.3 overs with number three batsman Neil Ferreira unbeaten on 40 while opener Andy Flower had 29 not out.

Mutare will now meet fourth-placed Takashinga in the semi-final of the knockout tournament while Old Georgians will play Universals in the other semi-final.

Meanwhile Old Hararians kept their hopes of winning the Mashonaland Vigne Cup alive with a 21-run away win over Alexandra Sports Club. OH batted first and made 225 for eight off their allotted 50 overs with Trevor Penney the top scorer on 51 runs while Colin Delport made 43. In reply Alex could only reach 204 for nine off their 50 overs with opener Doug Marillier scoring 67 while number three batsman Gavin Rennie weighed in with 43. Leg-spinner Paul Strang took three wickets for 53 off 10 overs.

Harare Sports Club posted the biggest win of the week with a crushing 94-run home win over Takashinga. HSC were bowled out for 222 in 45.3 overs with number five batsman Andre Hoffman leading the batting with a fluent 67 while national captain Stuart Carlisle added 46. Walter Chawaguta took three wickets for 19 off eight overs. Takashinga were then bowled out for 128 in 44.4 overs with Brighton Watambwa, Hoffman, Andrew Durham and Trevor Gripper taking two wickets each.

In the other match OGs completed a double over Universals with a five-wicket win a day after their National League encounter. Universals were all out for 158 in 46.4 overs while OGs reached 159/5 off 33.1 overs.