Latest NPL 2023 Results: Gladiators Inch Closer to NPL Title with Thrilling Victory Over Uprising

ASHLEY DUBE

Gladiators emerged victorious by five wickets in a thrilling match against Uprising at Old Hararians Sports Club. Tony Munyonga and Clive Madande played exceptional innings, leading Gladiators to a significant step towards retaining the National Premier League (NPL) title. This highly anticipated match showcased the fierce competition between the two teams, who had been neck and neck throughout the tournament until Uprising’s recent loss to Takashinga Patriots 1.

Uprising put up a strong batting performance, with Tariro Makauyo and Ryan Kamwemba forming an impressive opening partnership of 125 runs. Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, and Ryan Burl also contributed valuable runs to set a challenging total of 320 runs for six wickets. Despite losing their openers early on, Gladiators rose to the challenge. Munyonga’s dynamic innings of 85 runs off 68 balls, accompanied by a third-wicket partnership of 124 runs with Ashley Mufandauya, propelled Gladiators forward. Munyonga’s dismissal at 200 for four in the 28th over brought in Madande, who played a match-winning knock of 73 not out off just 46 balls. With three overs to spare, Gladiators achieved a glorious triumph.

Mutare Sports Club Secures Narrow Victory Over Takashinga Patriots 1

Mutare Sports Club secured a narrow 13-run victory over Takashinga Patriots 1 in a thrilling match. The home team, batting first, had a mixed innings but a solid partnership between Nigel Bonyongwe and Kudzai Sauramba provided a good start. Spencer Magodo played an exceptional innings of 62 not out, supported by Donald Tiripano, to help Mutare reach a total of 203 for seven wickets. Tanaka Chivanga took three wickets, while Richard Ngarava bowled impressively for two wickets.

In response, Takashinga started strongly but Tendai Chatara and Tatenda Mupunga’s accurate bowling caused trouble for their batting lineup. Despite some resistance from Timycen Maruma and lower-order batsmen, Chatara and Mupunga returned to dismiss the tail-enders. With the match hanging in the balance at 190 for seven, Chatara took two wickets in three deliveries, followed by Maruma’s dismissal off Tiripano’s bowling. This secured the victory for Mutare Sports Club.

Queens Sports Club win by 16 runs

In another match, Chris Mpofu had an outstanding performance at his home ground, Queens Sports Club, leading his team to a narrow 16-run victory over the determined Amakhosi team. Queens, batting first, did not perform well, but managed to score 191 thanks to two strong partnerships. Dalu Mboyi and Tanaka Zvaita provided a good start with a 67-run partnership for the first wicket.

However, they lost four wickets quickly, with Ernest Masuku taking two of them. Munashe Chimusoro and Mpofu then came together to rescue the innings with an 88-run partnership. After their dismissal, the tail-enders struggled and Queens were all out for 191 in the final over.

Masuku was the standout bowler, taking four wickets for 16 runs in eight overs. In response, Amakhosi’s Adrian Mupembe played a commendable innings of 56 off 102 balls. However, he lacked support from an aggressive partner and when he was dismissed at 123 for six in the 30th over, it seemed like the match was lost.

Tawanda Maposa briefly showed promise with a quick 20, but after Mupembe’s dismissal, the team struggled. Tinashe Mujuru and Ashley Phiri added 40 runs for the seventh wicket, but both were out in quick succession and the innings ended at 175. Mpofu took two of the last three wickets, finishing with three wickets for 16 runs.

Kadoma Secures Dominant Victory Over Golden Bulls

The out of form Golden Bulls suffered another heavy defeat by 252 runs against Kadoma at Kwekwe Sports Club on Wednesday. Kadoma, who decided to bat first, lost three wickets for 104 runs. However, Tashinga Musekiwa and Nyasha Mayavo came together and formed a strong partnership, adding 148 runs for the fourth wicket in less than 17 overs. Mayavo scored 108 off 87 balls with one six and 13 fours, while Musekiwa performed even better with 115 off 80 balls, hitting seven sixes and seven fours. Kadoma finished with a total of 318 for six wickets in their allotted 45 overs.

The Golden Bulls struggled against Victor Chirwa’s impressive bowling, as he took four wickets for 22 runs. They could only manage a score of 66 off 26.2 overs.

Rainbow Secures Dominant Victory Over Mbizo

Mbizo suffered another heavy defeat, this time by 10 wickets, as Patrick Nyamapfeni’s impressive pace bowling for Rainbow shattered their innings. After being put in to bat, Clifford Takaedza provided a promising start for Mbizo but Nyamapfeni quickly dismissed four of his partners for just 19 runs. The later batters struggled to make an impact, with only Jabulisa Tshuma showing some fight by scoring seven off 20 balls. Takaedza was the last man out, falling just short of carrying his bat through the innings after scoring 42, which accounted for more than half of Mbizo’s total of 83. Nyamapfeni ended with figures of four for 36 in eight overs.

In response, the Rainbow opening pair of Matthew Campbell and Tino Chiwara had no trouble chasing down the target without losing any wickets. Campbell scored a solid 29 off 60 balls, while Chiwara was more aggressive with 52 off just 38 balls. They reached the target in 16.2 overs.