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Lawrence Moyo Head Zimpapers Sports
EAGLES made it a record seven successive wins in the Pro50 Championship cricket tournament when they beat Rhinos by 30 runs at Kwekwe Sports Club yesterday to all but seal a top place finish.
The two teams meet again at the same venue tomorrow as Eagles complete their round robin matches.
It was Rhinos’ second defeat in five games.
Having made 278/8 off their allotted 50 overs, Eagles somehow secured a 30-run victory over a Rhinos side that had been 161/4 after 28.4 overs and later 194/6 after 35.2 overs.
At 247/7 in the 46th over, Rhinos needed 32 runs in 22 balls but the last three wickets fell for just one run.
All-rounder Wessly Madhevere was man-of-the-match for his 63 off 74 balls at number five and then two wickets for 42 in nine overs.
Number three Nicholas Welch was the topscorer with 64 from 63 balls while captain Chamu Chibhabha (51 balls) and unbeaten Faraz Akram (21 balls) added 33 runs each for the Eagles.
The total was below par for the Eagles as they were 210/4 with 11 overs to go before losing four wickets for 68 runs in 66 balls.
A score of 300-plus had been on the offing and even the Rhinos response suggested 279 could easily be overhauled with balls to spare.
Simon Mugava was the pick of the Rhinos bowlers with three wickets for 40 in 10 overs of right-arm leg break -all his wickets came in his ninth and 10th overs.
Brandon Mavuta took two wickets for 41 runs in 10 overs of right-arm leg break.
Rhinos had a solid start in reply, reaching 64/0 in the 13th over and then reaching 158/3 after 28 overs.
Opener and captain Prince Masvaure topscored with 54 from 76 balls followed by number five Ryan Burl who made 52 off 49 balls while Mavuta was unbeaten on 50 from 58 balls at number eight when he ran out of partners.
In yesterday’s other match at Masvingo Sports Club, Southern Rocks successfully defended 233 as they beat Tuskers by 15 runs.
After 41 overs, Tuskers looked favourites for victory at 181/6 as they needed 52 runs from 54 balls with four wickets in hand but were bundled out for 218 in 48.5 overs.
All-rounder Roy Kaia was named man-of-the-match for his three wickets for 38 in 10 overs while he managed just nine runs at number three.
Southern Rocks’ 233/7 was built around wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga’s unbeaten run-a-ball 77 at number six while opener Brian Mudzinganyama had the second highest contribution of 47 off 81 balls.
There were two wickets each for Chris Mpofu (2/42 in 10), Mgcini Dube (2/36 in eight) and Milton Shumba (2/52 in nine overs).
Tuskers were never allowed to settle as they chased a modest total and in the end the best contribution came from Luke Jongwe who made 42 off 45 balls at number seven while Brian Chari added 35 off 62 balls and Clive Madande 31 off 34 balls.
The two sides meet at the same venue tomorrow.
Southern Rocks are third with four points from five matches while Tuskers are fourth with two points from five matches.
Defending champions Mountaineers are bottom with two points from six matches.
Online Reporter