Race for Vigne Cup honors heats up

With the National First League due to be settled next weekend between OH and Queens, the focus of the remaining Mashonaland clubs returned to the Vigne Cup last weekend. Old Georgians and Alexandra have been the most successful Vigne Cup campaigners this season and were placed in first and second positions on the log respectively. Most sides were missing players who were selected to represent the Zimbabwe Board XI, but were compensated to some extent by the return of Academy players assigned to regional teams for the National First League.

Alex hosted a depleted Old Georgians side who were without Craig Wishart and Craig Evans, both called to the Board XI, and Gus Mackay, whose services have been desperately missed since his selection to the national side in Australia. Alex were also missing Andy Blignaut due to Board XI duties, but looked the stronger side on paper.

Winning the toss and batting first, Alex compiled a very impressive 273 for five in their 50 overs, thanks largely due to a century from the promising Jason Young. Craig Anticevich contributed with the bat for the second consecutive weekend, ending undefeated on 36.

Needing 274 for victory, OGs needed a big innings from one of their batsmen, but without the names of Wishart, Evans and Mackay in the middle order, the chances were always slim. Lance Malloch-Brown shouldered the responsibility of senior batsman bravely and gritted it out for 73, but did not find the necessary support from his team mates, and OGs were dismissed for 203 for Alex to win by 70 runs.

The win leaves both teams tied in first place on the log with 60 points apiece. Alex are favourites to win the Vigne Cup now with their remaining fixtures being against Winstonians and Universals, whilst OGs have to face Old Hararians and Harare Sports Club.

Alex 273/5 (Jason Young 104, Craig Anticevich 36*)
OGs 203 all out (Lance Mallock-Brown 73)

Alex won by 70 runs

At Universals, the home side won the toss and batted first against Winstonians, scoring 208 all out. Openers Khalid Adam and Adam Payne got the hosts off to a flying start, posting 60 runs after just six overs. But despite the promising start, the innings faltered towards the end in the face of an ever-improving bowling attack, and Universals clearly missed the batting of Dion Ebrahim who was also selected for the Board XI. For Winstonians, Norbert Manyande and Bruce Makovah were again amongst the wickets, but it was Under-19 batsman Stuart Matsikenyeri who perhaps impressed most with an immaculate spell of off-spin bowling, returning figures of 10-2-26-1.

Winstonians were without Tatenda Taibu and Hamilton Masakadza (Board XI) and were always likely to struggle to reach the target of 209, and so it proved. Darlington Matambanadzo did most of the early damage, reducing the visitors to 25/4 at one stage. The Adam brothers, off-spinner Hamid and leg-spinner Shezar, were again a handful as Winstonians collapsed to 138 all out.

Universals 208 all out (K Adam 43, D Matambanadzo 36, A Payne 28; B Makovah 4/41, N Manyande 3/36)
Winstonians 138 all out (D Matambanadzo 3/32, S Adam 3/38, H Adam 2/20)

Universals won by 70 runs

At Old Hararians visitors Harare Sports Club won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 239/2 in their 50 overs on a very slow outfield. Former Test batsman Trevor Gripper continues to show signs of a return to form after a disappointing season, and scored a steady 78. Former CFX Academy player Neil Ferreira rejoined the side after a stint with Mutare in the National League, and celebrated his return with an unbeaten 94, while skipper Donald Campbell weighed in with 45 not out.

OH were missing captain and key batsman Trevor Penney, who is coach of the Board XI, as well as Paul Strang and Gary Brent, but were able to also welcome their Academy players following the completion of the national league. But the target of 240 proved to be just too much for the hosts as they crumbled to 211/9, Brighton Watambwa taking 3/38, to lose by 38 runs.

OH, who defend their national league title in the final next weekend, have had a poor Vigne Cup season and are currently languishing at the bottom of the table.

Current Points Table

Team	Played	Won	Lost	N/R	Points
Alexandra	8	6	2	0	60
Old Georgians	8	6	2	0	60
Harare Sports Club	7	3	3	1	35
Universals	8	3	5	0	30
Winstonians	8	2	5	1	25
Old Hararians	7	2	5	0	20

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