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Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
QUEENS Cricket Club could not manage to capitalise on the good start they had in the first innings of their National Premier Cricket League (NPCL) encounter against Uprising Cricket
Club as they suffered a close five runs defeat at Kwekwe Sports Club on Saturday.
The Bulawayo-based side put up a brilliant performance with the ball to bowl out their opponents for 151 runs in 39,3 overs before they went on to crumble to 146 runs all out in 43,4 overs to suffer their second consecutive defeat.
They were coming from a mid-week defeat against Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC).
In yesterday’s encounter, Petros Sithole continued with his brilliant performance with the ball, taking a five wickets as he led Queens’ bowling attack.
The young Sithole finished with impressive figures of 5/29 in his eight over spell while the captain, Chris Mpofu and Tanatswa Bechani took two wickets each to help Queens restrict their opponents to what looked like an easy target.
Ryan Kamwemba top scored for the eventual winners, Uprising Cricket Club, finishing with 34 runs off 57 balls. Opening batter, Tariro Makauyo was the second leading run scorer with 33 runs off 57 balls as well. Takunda Manyama fell for 29 runs after facing 46 deliveries.
In their chase, it was Bechani who put up a fight for Queens as things were not going well for them with the bat.
The all rounder top scored with a gallant 35 runs off 54 deliveries while Isheunopa Musekwa chipped in with 21 runs from 79 balls. Mpofu remained undefeated with 16 runs, however, could not see the team through.
There was another five wicket haul in the second innings of the game, coming from Manyama who finished with figures of 5/27 in 7,4 overs. Dylan Hondo and George Matanga all took two wickets each to guide their side to victory
The defeat left Queens stranded on 10 points off three matches with one victory and two defeats.
Uprising, who are sitting in position two are yet to taste defeat from their first three matches.
In another match played yesterday, Gladiators Cricket Club registered a 51 runs victory over Golden Bulls to maintain their unbeaten run and sit comfortably at the top of the standings.
Batting first, the defending champions, Gladiators posted 243/9 in 43 overs before they went on to bowl out their opponents for just 192 runs in 42,2 overs. Golden Bulls are yet to taste victory in their three opening games. — Follow on Twitter -@brandon_malvin.
Online Reporter