Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
GREAT expectations for the Mega Market Mountaineers Class of 2025-2026 morphed into nothing tangible after the franchise ended the season empty-handed following a disappointing Logan Cup campaign and painful defeat on the last hurdle in the Pro50 competition.
The Mountain Goats came into the 2025-2026 season being the defending champions of both the Logan Cup and the Pro50 competition, but somehow failed to retain either of the two.
Southern Rocks were crowned 2025-2026 Logan Cup champions after asserting their dominance over nearest rivals, Eagles in a decisive drawn encounter at Harare Sports Club recently.
Southern Rocks cruised to the Pro50 Championship title with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Mountaineers last Saturday, powered by a fluent century from Innocent Kaia.
In an interview with Post Sport, coach, Stuart Matsikenyere, understands that the performance was disappointing.
“All involved are disappointed at how our season went. We did not start well, and found it hard to get momentum as the season went on. Although we did not start well, to win Pro50 games on the bounce to eventually make the finals was remarkable, and it was good to play to the standards we expected of ourselves. We came out second best in the final to a really strong Rocks. In a nutshell, there are no excuses for our poor showing. We were not good enough this season, and we will look to be better in the next season,” said Matsikenyere.
With Donald Tiripano holding fort, on a caretaker basis, Mountaineers will look back to the 2025-2026 season and point to the absence of their coach in some, if not most, of their assignments as one of the factors that affected their performance.
Matsikenyere admits that.
“Yes, that does affect how the team runs. However, we want to be at our best even when such challenges are thrown our way, and we need to be better in the future,” he said.
Be that as it may, Rocks, who topped the standings during the one-day competition’s league phase, produced a disciplined all-round display in the final at Masvingo Sports Club, restricting the defending champions – The Mountaineers – to 230 all out before chasing down the target with authority.
Mountaineers made a brisk start after being sent in to bat, with openers, Joylord Gumbie and Alistair Frost settling quickly, and taking advantage of early scoring opportunities against the new ball.
Frost struck 25 off 22 balls, before falling to Roy Kaia, caught at mid-on while attempting an aggressive stroke.
Nick Welch added 23, but the scoring rate slowed through the middle overs as Rocks tightened their grip on the contest.
Gumbie anchored the innings with a patient 51 off 110 deliveries, though his measured approach did little to accelerate the run rate.
The turning point came when Matthew Campbell claimed three wickets in quick succession, removing Wellington Masakadza and Timycen Maruma as Mountaineers slipped from a steady position to 151 for six.
A late stand between Spencer Magodo (34) and Michael Frost (22) briefly lifted the innings, but seamer, Shelton Mazvitorera, struck twice in consecutive overs to check the momentum.
Mountaineers were eventually dismissed for 230 with four balls remaining, with Mazvitorera finishing with figures of three for 31.
In response, Rocks built their chase around a dominant opening partnership between Campbell and Kaia.
The pair added 148 for the first wicket, effectively putting the game beyond Mountaineers’ reach.
Campbell made 67 before falling to Prosper Mugeri, but Kaia remained in complete control, bringing up his century off 106 balls with composed strokeplay.
He finished unbeaten on 112 from 113 deliveries, striking 15 fours and a six, as Rocks eased to victory with contributions from Panashe Taruvinga (22) and Roy Kaia (21 not out).
The result sealed a comprehensive triumph for Rocks, completing a memorable double after they also lifted the 2025/26 Logan Cup.
In the Logan Cup campaign, the championship was effectively sealed by a superb century from wicketkeeper-batter, Tafadzwa Tsiga, whose innings underpinned Rocks’ control of the contest and extinguished Eagles’ lingering hopes.
Rocks completed the season unbeaten, recording four wins from eight matches to finish on 110 points. Eagles, who also secured four victories but suffered one defeat, ended on 103 points. The title triumph marked Rocks’ second Logan Cup success, following their maiden win in the 2020/21 season.
Ends
