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WESSLY Madhevere hit a fine fifty to bring Gladiators a thrilling two-wicket victory over Scorpions, despite a remarkable eight-wicket haul by Nkosilathi Nungu in a National Premier League (NPL) fixture at Old Hararians Sports Club on Sunday.
It was largely a day for bowlers, as Malcom Chikuhwa led the Gladiators attack with three early wickets, as the Scorpions batting collapsed to 32 for eight wickets after going in first.
Of these, 18 were scored by the opening batter Takunda Madembo, who became Chikuhwa’s third victim.
The last three batters gave their teammates a lesson in how to play, as they took the total to 117 all out — Tafadzwa Bango slammed 25 off 19 balls, while Tatenda Murove at number 10 made the top score of 36, with the last man Tafara Chingwara contributing 15 not out.
Chikuhwa finished with five wickets for 26 runs in his nine overs.
Gladiators therefore had quite a small target, but without Madhevere, going in at number three, they would probably have lost their winning record in the competition this season.
Brief Scores:
Scorpions — 117 all out in 27.3 overs (Tatenda Murove 36, Tafadzwa Bango 25, Takunda Madembo 18; Malcom Chikuhwa 5/26, Phase Mukabeta 3/44, Owen Muzondo 2/25)
Gladiators — 119-8 in 17.1 overs (Wessly Madhevere 53*, Lennox Chando 28, Milton Shumba 20; Nkosilathi Nungu 8/51)
Result: Gladiators won by two wickets
***
Bulawayo Athletic Club — 244-7 in 45 overs (Brandon James 77, Palvin Ndlovu 40*, Sean Phiri 40; Ronak Patel 2/34, Victor Nyauchi 2/47, Munashe Chipoyi 1/23)
Rainbow — 246-5 in 40.1 overs (Clive Imbayago 85*, Larvet Masunda 46, Kuda Munyede 35; Josh Mawire 2/39, Palvin Ndlovu 1/24, Admire Mupembe 1/41)
Result: Rainbow won by five wickets
***
Rimuka — 238 all out in 41.5 overs (Victor Chirwa 104, Nyasha Mayavo 41, Carl Mumba 35; Chris Mpofu 4/41, Freedom Takarusenga 3/75, Petros Sithole 1/19)
Queens Sports Club — 203-7 in 43 overs (Dalubuhle Mboyi 79*, Chris Mpofu 66, Freedom Takarusenga 12*; Carl Mumba 2/22, Victor Chirwa 2/33, Philimon Ndushu 2/42)
Result: Rimuka won by 35 runs
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter