Zimbabwe Schools Festival: Matabeleland Under-16 off to good start

Falcon College in Esigodini:

THE Matabeleland Under-16 side got off to a good start when they beat Mashonaland B by two wickets on the first day of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union Schools cricket festival. In the day's other match Mashonaland A and Mashonaland Country Districts played out a draw.

Mashonaland B won the toss and elected to bat first. They struggled and were eventually bundled out for 140 in 47.5 overs. Nicholas Mwayenga was the top scorer with 38 runs, with captain Archibald Chirinda close behind with 32 runs. Chirinda however failed to lead by example, as when on 22 he was given out caught behind to Russell Kambarami but he refused to walk off the pitch. He was allowed to go on but did not last as he fell to the same bowler.

Kambarami was the pick of the Matabeleland bowlers with five for 59 in 16 overs. But Ntuthuko Mcingolwane was the best bowler with four for 24 in 13.5 overs, including five maidens. He was outstanding with his pace and in-swingers that gave the Mashonaland B batsmen a torrid time.

In reply Matabeleland seemed as if they would fall short of their easy target when they started losing wickets easily. Kambarami was outstanding with the bat as with the ball. The Falcon schoolboy was the Matabeleland top scorer with 59 runs to add to his five wickets. The Matabeleland tail-enders held their nerve and guided their team to a sweet victory. Kambarami won the prize for the man of the match.

The Mashonaland A and Districts match ended in a draw as it failed to produce a meaningful result in the normal time. Districts won the toss and elected to bat first, going on to score 258 in 55 overs, with man of the match Glen Querl top-scoring for them with 81 runs. In reply Mashonaland A could manage 89 for four in 37 overs.