LOGAN CUP: Masocha picks five-for on debut

Alliance Health Eagles – 169 all out in 56.5 overs (Kudzai Maunze 57, Wessly Madhevere 26, Brad Evans 18; Ronald Masocha 5/28, Mike Chinouya 3/43, Brandon Mavuta 2/47)

Rhinos – 81-3 in 24 overs (Prince Masvaure 36*, Ryan Burl 18, Takudzwanashe Kaitano 16; Wessly Madhevere 1/6, Tanaka Chivanga 1/23, Richard Ngarava 1/34)

Day 1 – Stumps: Rhinos trail by 88 runs

A fine début bowling performance of five wickets by Ronald Masocha gave Rhinos an encouraging day as they play their final Logan Cup match against Alliance Health Eagles, whom they dismissed for 169.

This match is being played at Old Hararians Sports Club between the bottom two teams on the Logan Cup table.

Rhinos won the toss and put Eagles in to bat.

With the very first ball of the match, Mike Chinouya dismissed the debutant Eagles opening batter Kumbirayi Phiri lbw.

Will Fraine played a dogged innings of 12 before he was caught off the bowling of the medium-paced debutant Masocha.

Kudzai Maunze, batting steadily, was then joined by Wessly Madhevere, and they put on what was to be the highest partnership of the innings, 55 for the third wicket, before Madhevere was caught off Brandon Mavuta for 26.

Maunze went on to reach his fifty and was eventually caught off Masocha for 57, which took him 112 balls and included six fours.

The remaining batters never settled in, although four of them reached double figures but could not make it to 20.

Tino Mutombodzi, captaining the side today, was caught off Mavuta for one.

Brad Evans briefly gave his team hope by running to 18 off 17 balls, but then he was caught at the wicket off Masocha.

The innings subsided for only 169, with Masocha enjoying a memorable début by taking five wickets for only 28 runs in 11 overs.

Chinouya also did well to take three wickets for 43 runs.

When Rhinos went in, Takudzwanashe Kaitano went on the attack, but rather burned his candle at both ends, as after only three overs he was bowled by Richard Ngarava for 16 off 15 balls, with a six and two fours.

Charles Kunje scored only two before Tanaka Chivanga had him caught at the wicket, and Rhinos were not looking good with two down for 26.

However, Prince Masvaure was still there, batting confidently, and finished the day on 36 not out.

Ryan Burl scored 18, but he was out lbw to Madhevere just before the close of play, which came at 81 for three wickets, with Remembrance Nyathi on two.