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Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Athletic Club (BAC) maintained top position in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Cricket Association (BMCA) First League after a clinical seven wickets win over Nketa Cricket Club on Sunday.
A clean all-round performance saw BAC bowl out their opponents for 117 runs in 28 overs and chase down the target with the last ball of over number 18, finishing with 118-3 to take home maximum points.
Spinner, Peter Nyandoro produced a spell for the ages with the ball for BAC, taking a five-wicket haul in his seven overs. Nyandoro finished with figures of 6/17, including one maiden over to help restrict Nketa to a low total.
Nyandoro, from other ends, was supported by Brandon James and Thabo Manyalo who took two wickets each to round up Nketa’s innings.
Nketa’s opening batter, Senyo Nyakutse top scored with 32 runs off 46 deliveries while captain Cyril Musasa scored 28 runs in 32 balls. The duo were the only batters to cross double figures for Nketa in the match.
Chasing a low total, BAC skipper Thamsanqa Nunu top scored for the home side with an unbeaten 39 runs off 32 deliveries.
Opener Bright Phiri was the second leading run getter for the league leaders, scoring 31 runs off 25 balls. The three wickets that fell for BAC were of Phiri, James with 11 runs and Gift Mavhaire with four.
Ray Kasimo and Gracious Masukume took two and one wicket respectively for Nketa as they suffered their third defeat of the season in as many matches.
For his splendid spell with the ball, Nyandoro was voted player of the match.
In the other match played Amakhosi edged Queens Sports Club by seven wickets to maintain second spot in the standings.
Amakhosi bowled out their opponents for just 73 runs and chased down the target in 12, 3 overs finishing with a score of 76-3.
The high-flying BAC who are looking at playing in the National Premier League (NPL) once again, are sitting on 21 points in three matches, eight more than second placed Amakhosi Cricket Club who are on 13 points. BAC have won all their matches.
With one win and two defeats, Queens Sports Club is sitting in position three on the table with seven points while bottom placed Nketa have one point.
Meanwhile, in the second league National University of Science and Technology (Nust) jumped to the top of the table with a 95 runs win over Queens Sports Club 2. Tied on 22 points with Amakhosi 2, Nust have a better net run rate than that of their potential title contenders.
In third place, Nketa 2 have 21 points and are followed by BAC 2 on 20 points while Wholesale Beef Bulls follow on 15 points. Gampu Lions in position six have 15 points as well, tied with seventh placed Queens 2.
The bottom three is made up of Champions Cricket Club, ZRP Bulawayo and Roosters Cricket Club who have five, five and zero points respectively.
Matches continue, however this coming round of fixtures is yet to be confirmed. — @brandon_malvin
Online Reporter