Club cricket report, 22 December 2000

It was a weekend of surprise results as pace-setters Alexandra and Old Georgians were both humbled by less fancied teams in the Castle Lager National First League.

In Bulawayo, Queens Sports Club proved a point in beating Alex by three wickets in a low-scoring game to maintain their unbeaten record in the league this season. In hot and dry conditions, Alex batted first after winning the toss. Batting was difficult on a pitch which was producing some uneven bounce, but the Alex batsmen can only blame themselves for collapsing to 109 all out in just 36 overs. Spinners Ian Engelbrecht with 6/17 and Ian Coulson with 3/19 caused the damage while Gilmour top-scored for the visitors with 28.

The Queens reply was unconvincing, and what should have been a cruise to victory for the batsmen became bumpy as wickets fell in quick succession. None of the Queens batsmen could settle as Neil van Rensburg top-scored with 14 not out, but the victory target was too small for Alex to defend and Queens eventually limped home by three wickets. Again the spinners dominated with Dave Stannard and Gary du Plessis returning very economical figures. Andy Blignaut bowled for the first time in several weeks off a shortened run-up and claimed two wickets. This was the second consecutive loss for Alex who must regain their winning form to stay in the hunt for top honours.

Old Georgians' winning streak in the league came to an abrupt end on Sunday as they were soundly beaten by Harare Sports Club by seven wickets. Old Georgians were without star players Gus Mackay and Craig Evans, the former on his way to join the national squad in New Zealand. The absence of Mackay and Evans proved to be crucial as Old Georgians were tumbled out for a paltry 119 with only Brad McCoun able to make any significant contribution. Harare Sports Club were without key strike bowler Eddo Brandes, but he was not needed as all of the other bowlers performed well. Brighton Watambwa was a little too wayward, conceding nine wides in his ten overs. Gavin Johnson-Robertson was once again economical and successful, and seamer Matthew Streeton returned the best figures of 6-3-9-2 in his first appearance of the season in the first league.

As Sports Club chased 120 for victory, Trevor Gripper finally found some form, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 43, and together with Guy Croxford he ensured an easy win for the visitors with almost 24 overs in hand. The win is a major moralebooster for Harare Sports Club who have struggled recently, but the alarm bells will be ringing for Old Georgians. With Gus Mackay quite possibly unavailable for several weeks and former Test batsmen Craig Wishart badly out of form, the side suddenly looks vulnerable.

In Mutare, the home side succumbed to Old Hararians thanks largely to another match-winning effort from Trevor Penney. Batting first after winning the toss, the Mutare Sports Club innings started soundly with in-form Neil Ferreira striking the ball well before he was needlessly run out for 19. Academy player Richard Sims scored a half-century but a middle-order collapse ensured a modest total despite a late flurry of runs from the tail. Once again the bowling was too loose for this level of cricket with 22 extras conceded in wides and no-balls.

The victory target of 183 looked a little low, but OH still had to get them, and Mutare sensed an unlikely victory when the first four wickets fell for less than 30 runs. The experience of Gary Brent and Trevor Penney swung the match back to OH as the pair grafted out a century partnership and thwarted the home side's efforts. Penney scored an unbeaten 90 while Jason Young was the most successful bowler on the day with 4/34.

A four-wicket haul from Dave Houghton was not enough to inspire Kwekwe Sports Club to a win over Universals in Kwekwe. Darlington Matambanadzo showed that his brother Everton is not the only batting talent in the family, scoring 73 at the top of the innings. David Mutendera, bowling hero against HSC last weekend with 8/23, scored 27 in the middle of the innings and may yet develop into a genuine all-rounder. Dave Houghton too showed signs of all-round ability as he turned in another successful bowling spell, grabbing 4/37. Universals scored 225, which posed a stiff target for the inexperienced Kwekwe side, and much depended again on Dave Houghton scoring heavily. It was not to be however, as the Adams brothers struck, Shezar claiming the prize wicket of Houghton for 20 and Hamid wrapping up the tail to take 4/12. David Mutendera bowled well again, returning figures of 10-2-28-1.

The Bulawayo-based Mac Club recorded their first win of the season against the visiting Old Winstonians, who have struggled to be competitive without Tatenda Taibu, Hamilton Masakadza and Stuart Matsikenyeri. Club stalwarts Wilson Chawaguta and Steven Mangongo have rallied to try and boost the ranks, but the discipline has been lacking for them seriously to challenge for victory. This proved to be the case again against Mac Club who were handed victory on a plate. Winstonians had a bad day in the field, sending down no fewer than 34 wides and 8 no-balls to provide Mac Club with easily their highest individual scorer of the innings. The extra balls bowled resulted in Winstonians failing to complete their 50 overs within the specified time limit, and were consequently penalised two overs in their innings. The eventual winning margin of 40 runs emphasised the costly nature of the 42 unnecessary extras.

The lack of discipline continued through the Winstonians batting as they lost five wickets to run-outs. There were some positive aspects for Winstonians as Manyande and Lewis Mbwembwe batted well and Makova turned in a solid all-round performance with 36 and 3/35, but Winstonians will be kicking themselves for losing a match they should have won comfortably. For Mac Club it is likely to be their only win in the league this season as much stiffer competition in the form of OH, Alex and HSC awaits them in the remaining matches.

The league now takes a break until 7 January.