3-mob.com 
We are five games into the Harare Metropolitan Cricket Association (HMCA) League 1, also known as the Vigne Cup, and quite a bit has happened.
Last season’s champions, Gladiators, are rattling along, top of the league and having the time of their lives with a 100% record.
Old Hararians have also been impressive, with just one loss against Gladiators.
The surprise story is giants Takashinga 1, who are the only team yet to win a match.
Captain Roy Kaia has been the standout performer, but what will have hurt Takashinga 1 most is the absence of their main bowling attack, which includes national ODI and Test captain Richard Ngarava, Kundai Matigimu (he played his first match on Sunday) and Tanaka Chivanga. Add to that Graeme Cremer and Brendan Taylor, who have not been able to play.
And then there is this. With the international season coming up, some of their big names could be gone too.
And it is not as if they have been pulling up trees with the bat. Takashinga 1 have gone past 200 twice this season.
It all has to be caveated by the fact that crucial players in Tafadzwa Tsiga, Wellington Masakadza and Innocent Kaia have headed over to newboys Uhuru.
It is not panic stations, with nine matches left, but there will be more than murmurs in Highfield. They have not been poor and have come close in a couple of matches.
What is true is that Takashinga 1 do not want to be the ignominious position of being the first-ever club to play in the National Premier League (NPL), while in Harare’s second league.
For a club so storied, it would be a nightmare.
