Vigne Cup report

Winstonians edge out Old Hararians

With most sides depleted due to players representing the Zimbabwe Board XI, three Vigne Cup matches were played on Sunday. The Vigne Cup is contested by Mashonaland teams only.

The ever improving Winstonians side earned a notable victory against powerhouse side Old Hararians in a Vigne Cup match on Sunday. Admittedly, Old Hararians were a depleted side, missing key players Trevor Penney and Dirk Viljoen. Nevertheless, the win is a major boost for coach Steven Mangono and his young side. Winstonians batted first and generally struggled against a disciplined OH attack, and after the early loss of star batsmen Tatenda Taibu and Stewart Matsikenyera, the rest of the side tried to consolidate. Walter Chawaguta top scored for Winstonians just missing out on a half century as Winstonians scraped together 176/9 after 50 overs, a moderate target at best. Any thoughts that OH had of cruising to victory were quickly dispelled as Manyande grabbed three early wickets. Raymond Butterworth and Gary Brent stabilized the innings with a 50 partnership, but then Stewart Matsikenyera was brought into the attack and claimed three wickets in two overs, including that of Butterworth for 49, to snuff out the OH challenge and take Winstonians to a notable victory.

At Groombride, Old Georgians continued there winning streak this season with a comfortable win over Harare Sports Club. Boths side were missing star players, with Craig Evans and Craig Wishart missing for OGs, and Sports Club without Trevor Gripper, Donald Campbell and Eddo Brandes. OGs posted 252/9 in their allotted 50 overs with captain Gus Mackay top scoring with 56. Mackay was well supported by his team with only two batsmen failing to record double figures. HSC badly missed the services of Brandes whose tight bowling has been a key feature for the club this season. Gavin Johnston-Robertson was the most economical of the bowlers, taking 3/35 off his ten overs of gentle off spin. In contrast to the OGs innings, only three HSC batsmen were able to reach double figures, Pete Brous undefeated at the end on 44, as OGs won by 100 runs. The win keeps OGs at the top of the points table with 4 wins from 5 games.

Alexandra kept up the heat on OGs with a 67 run victory over the struggling Universals Club. Universals were without fast bowlers Everton Matambanadzo and Douglas Hondo, as well as star batsman Dion Ebrahim, whilst Alex were missing Andy Blignaut, Doug Marillier and Jason Vaughan-Young. Alex batted first, looking to exploit the weakened Universals attack, but David Mutendera struck in the first over, trapping Ian Marillier in front before a run was scored. Darlington Matambanadzo, usually better known for his batting exploits, took 4/55 as wickets fell regularly and Alex struggled to gain momentum. An aggressive 76 not out from Brian Bath at number 8 transformed the innings from modest to respectable as Alex ended on 247/9.

In hot steamy conditions conducive to swing bowling, the Universals batting struggled to build partnerships and it was left to the tail to try and reach the victory target. In the end Universals fell 67 runs short and Alex gained their third win in the competition.