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Tuskers – 347 and 292-5 declared in 66.5 overs (Craig Ervine 107, Brian Chari 77, Milton Shumba 44*; Brandon Mavuta 2/102, Tafara Chingwara 1/14, Carl Mumba 1/19)
Rhinos – 245 and 366 all out in 99.2 overs (Prince Masvaure 103, Takudzwanashe Kaitano 65, Johnathan Campbell 54; Ainsley Ndlovu 5/71, Sheunopa Musekwa 2/79, John Nyumbu 2/106)
Tuskers won by 28 runs
A fighting century from Prince Masvaure, his eighth in first-class cricket, was not enough to save Rhinos from defeat by Tuskers as they made a gallant attempt to reach the extremely difficult target of 395 runs for victory in their Logan Cup match at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.
Tuskers finally achieved their victory by 28 runs only a few minutes before time as they bowled out Rhinos for 366, the highest total of the match.
Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Masvaure had done well to survive the final session of play on day three to finish with 38 runs on the board without the loss of a wicket.
The pair continued their resistance this morning, with Kaitano playing quite an aggressive game at times, while Masvaure played his usual sound, watchful game.
They brought up the hundred without loss, and were within sight of the lunch interval when Ainsley Ndlovu finally broke through to claim the wicket of Kaitano, caught by Luke Jongwe for 65 with the score on 123 in the 35th over.
The partnership had lasted virtually two and a half hours and done a wonderful job for their side.
Charles Kunje came in next, beginning very cautiously before lunch, but afterwards he was beginning to look good when he was caught off John Nyumbu for 19; 163 for two.
Another useful stand followed between Masvaure and Ryan Burl, which was cut off at 197 with the dismissal of Burl, bowled by Sheunopa Musekwa for 11.
With Carl Mumba in, Masvaure finally reached his well-earned century, which came off 207 balls.
At 224, though, his fine innings came to an end, as he was caught by Craig Ervine off the bowling of Musekwa for 103.
Masvaure batted for almost five hours and faced 218 balls, hitting 13 fours and a six.
The score at tea was 238 for four, with Johnathan Campbell on eight and Mumba 21.
Unfortunately, Mumba retired hurt at the interval and Brandon Mavuta came out with Campbell when play continued.
Perhaps Mavuta had visions of victory, or maybe he just decided that attack was the best form of defence, as he hit up 28 runs off only 27 balls before he was bowled by Nyumbu at 283 for five.
Nyasha Mayavo, in company with Campbell, played a positive innings of 26 off 35 balls before Ervine caught him off the bowling on Ndlovu; 330 for six.
This finally brought in Remembrance Nyathi, batting much lower than usual in a strategic move as Rhinos tried to go for victory.
Campbell reached a fine fifty, but at 53 he gave Ervine another catch, having faced 87 balls and run between the wickets very well, with only one four to his credit; 343 for seven.
Mumba returned to the crease, but the situation grew even more tense when, at 365, Nyathi was caught by Nyumbu off Ndlovu for eight.
It was soon all over for Rhinos, as Mike Chinouya lasted three balls before Ndlovu dismissed him lbw, and then in his next over he had Mumba caught out by Milton Shumba for 38.
The victory was won with only 3.4 overs to spare, a great relief for Tuskers after such a hard fight, and they now go to the top of the Logan Cup table.
Ndlovu finished with five wickets for 71 runs, while there were two wickets each for Musekwa and Nyumbu.
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