Zimbabwe National League report- Mutendra in top form

Universals fast bowler David Mutendera took 8/23 in an awesome spell of new-ball bowling to destroy Harare Sports Club as his side romped to a 132-run victory with 31.5 overs to spare in the Castle Lager National First League. Harare Sports Club were dismissed for 64 runs in just 18.1 overs with only Extras and Guy Croxford managing to reach double figures. Mutendera could have returned even better figures had he not conceded six no-balls and 2 wides. Earlier Universals had scored 196/9 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks largely to Everton Matambanadzo who scored a second consecutive 50, and the HSC bowlers who sent down a total of 28 wides. Gavin Johnston-Robertson, now 54 years of age, turned in his best performance of the season in taking 4/23 with his gentle off-spinners.

The target of 197 appeared modest, despite the bowler-friendly conditions, but Mutendera bowled with pace and aggression, bowling four of his eight victims, and taking two return catches to wipe out any possible challenge. It was a fine win for Universals who recorded their fourth win in five matches in the national league, but for HSC it was their third defeat and their title hopes now appear slim.

At Alexandra Sports Club, the in-form Old Georgians side maintained their unbeaten record in the league this season with a fine win over the powerful Alexandra side, thanks to all round performances from captain Gus Mackay and Craig Evans. Mackay whipped out the top three Alex batsmen to have the home side in early trouble, but solid batting from the middle order saw Alex recover to score a very respectable 259/9 in their 50 overs. Mackay with 4/37 and Evans with 3/37 were the most successful bowlers.

Lance Malloch-Brown and Andre Neethling started the Alex reply confidently, but when Gary du Plessis dismissed Neethling for 14 and Craig Wishart for a single, Alex were on the back foot. Evans and Mackay had other ideas, however, and Mackay scored his first century of the season to guide his side to victory by six wickets.

OGs are emerging as the side to beat, having lost just one match in the national league and Vigne Cup this season, thanks largely to the consistent efforts of Mackay and Evans.

In Mutare, the home side recorded their first win of the season with an emphatic 176-run win over a depleted Winstonians side. Neil Ferreira scored his first century of the season with a measured 118 not out, sharing in a century partnership with captain Mark Burmester who crunched a typically aggressive 75 runs, boosting Mutare to a formidable 284/4.

Winstonians, again without star players Hamilton Masakadza, Stewart Matsikenyere and Tatenda Taibu, were never likely to reach the target of 285, and indeed never came close, succumbing meekly to 108 all out in 39 overs. Burmester completed a fine all-round performance with 3/12 and Jason Young grabbed 4/17. The loss was Winstonians' fifth successive defeat in the national league this season and they will need to lift their game dramatically if they are to avoid earning the wooden spoon again.

In Bulawayo the struggling Mac Club hosted Kwekwe Sports Club in a bottom of the table clash, neither side having won a match this season. Kwekwe, promoted to the first league at the beginning of season, have benefited from the allocation of national academy players John Vaughan-Davies and Douglas Hondo, but their leading performances have come from the irrepressible Dave Houghton, now captaining the side, and this match was no exception. Batting at number four, Houghton showed his younger team-mates a thing or two with 97 runs, the highest score by more than 60 runs, as Kwekwe finished on 209 all out, Bryant taking five for 25.

Mac Club started their reply in solid fashion and several topand middle-order batsmen made valuable contributions. But wickets fell regularly, Mac Club fell behind the required run rate and the tight Kwekwe bowling earned the visitors a ten-run victory. Houghton was again in the thick of the action, taking two top-order wickets with his gentle dibbly-dobblers. Douglas Hondo was in better form than of late, conceding 32 runs off his 10 overs and picking up two wickets. None of the Kwekwe bowlers conceded more than four runs per over and only six wides were bowled in 50 overs, something of an achievement for Zimbabwean bowlers.

The fifth scheduled match between Queens Sports Club and Old Hararians was called off due to wet playing conditions.

Next weekend sees the last national league matches before a three-week end-of-year break. Old Hararians travel to Mutare in what could be a close encounter. Alexandra travel to Bulawayo to play Queens and Alex will be looking to regain their winning habits. Old Georgians host Harare Sports Club and, provided the rain stays away, we should see another win for the Groombridge side. Kwekwe will have their work cut out against the rampant Universals and Mac Club host Winstonians in a match that will probably determine the wooden spoon.