Victor Chirwa grabs nine wickets, Queens keep top eight bid alive

Rimuka 328/5 in 45 overs (Terrence Makoroma 123, Luke Jongwe 102; Takunda Manyama 2-75, Kudakwashe Ncumani 1-51, Panashe Gwatiringa 1-56)

Strikers 90 in 17.5 overs (Villan Changa 28, Takunda Manyama 26; Victor Chirwa 9-26, Lewis Mushaniga 1-28)

Rimuka Cricket Club won by 238 runs

Victor Chirwa picked up nine wickets in Rimuka’s emphatic 238-run victory over Strikers in a National Premier League (NPL) at Old Hararians Sports Club on Saturday.

He ripped through the Strikers lineup with vicious precision, allowing only three players to get to double figures. These were Villan Changa (28), Takunda Manyama (26) and Tadiwa Gosho (11).

The only scalp he did not take was that of Tashinga Makoni, removed by Lewis Mashininga.

What made Chirwa’s performance was that it included five wickets that were out bowled or leg before, and two were caught and bowled.

That was on the back of a massive batting performance, once again, by Rimuka.

Terrence Makoroma and Luke Jongwe both helped themselves to centuries. Makoroma made 123, while Jongwe made 102.

The pair shared a partnership of 185 for the third wicket.

The win keeps them solidly in the race for the top eight which comes with an NPL T20 Blast ticket.

Queens 169/9 in 45 overs (Ian Fuzane 56, Dalubuhle Mboyi 25; Malcolm Chikuhwa 5-18, Phase Mukabeta 1-24, Tanatswa Chisvo 1-30, Munashe Zata 1-31)

Gladiators 119 in 33.4 overs (Lennox Chando 49; Chris Mpofu 3-35, Vusi Kasipani 2-15, Isheunopa Musekwa 2-27)

Queens won by 50 runs

Queens may have just ended the Gladiators NPL dream after beating them by 50 runs at Kwekwe Sports Club.

Malcolm Chikuhwa was brilliant with the ball again, taking five wickets for just 18 runs.

Ian Fuzane made 56 for Queens, sharing a pivotal 73-run for the fifth wicket with Dalubuhle Mboyi, who scored 25.

Zenzele Ndebele’s 20 not out, and a ninth wicket partnership with Isheunopa Musekwa for 25.

In response, Gladiators failed to deal with the Queens’ all-round performance, for whom the veteran Chris Mpofu took three wickets.

Gladiators lost their way regularly, and only Lennox Chando, run out for 49, looked like he could handle the conditions.

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