Zimpapers Logo

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter

SOUTHERN Rocks maintained their unbeaten run in the domestic Pro50 Championship following the three-wicket triumph over Alliance Health Eagles at Masvingo Sports Club on Thursday.

Travor Mutsamba was awarded the Techno Mobile Man of the Match award for his five-wicket haul. The Masvingo-based outfit were mean with the ball after Eagles had won the toss and elected to bat first.

Mutsamba took 5-29 as Eagles were bowled out for 163 runs inside 35.2 overs. Blessing Muzarabani also weighed in with a brilliant bowling performances to claim 3-35 in his 10 overs.

Eagles batters had a bad day in the office. Wesley Madhevere was the top scorer for the visitors with 53 runs while Tinashe Kamunhukamwe weighed in with 37 runs at the top. The rest failed to find their range.

Rocks weathered a troubled start after losing both openers, Innocent Kaia (1) and Brian Mudzinganyama (7), early.

Middle order batsman Sikandar Raza saw the Masvingo-based outfit home with his unbeaten 56 runs, despite the wickets collapsing around him. Rocks reached 164/7 and claimed their fifth win of the campaign with 46 balls remaining.

Their overseas player Ben Curran was the second highest scorer after contributing 29 runs in a 30-ball knock. Brighton Zhawi and Richard Ngarava took two wickets apiece for Eagles.

The teams were also supposed to clash two days earlier at the same venue but the match was called off due to wet outfield. They were awarded five points apiece for the abandoned match.

Rocks sit at the top of the five-team table with 55 points while Eagles slumped to fourth place with 15 points. Mountaineers maintained second place despite a nine-run loss to hosts Tuskers and Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

The Mutare outfit had claimed a four-wicket victory in the first meeting between the sides, two days earlier. Mountaineers have 30 points while Tuskers are third with 20 points.

Defending champions Mid West Rhinos sit bottom of the table with no point from four outings. The matches will continue on Monday, as Eagles host winless Rhinos while Mountaineers and Southern Rocks slug it out in a top of the table duel.