AFTER FINISHING at the bottom of the first league last season, having won just two matches, Takashinga have surprised even themselves with a fairy-tale start to the 2001/2 national league season.

Takashinga are now the only team with a 100 per cent record after the third round of matches following a comfortable 63-run win over Macdonald Club in Bulawayo. National Under-19 wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu led the visitors' batting with a blistering 82 off 84 balls, while captain Rangarirai Manyande contributed 58 as Takashinga were dismissed for 235 in 50 overs.

In reply, MacDonald were all out for 172 in 45.5 overs, with Patrick Gada claiming three for 39. With a number of key players committed with both the national team currently in Bangladesh and the Board XI in South Africa for the UCBSA Bowl competition, the previously unbeaten Mutare Sports Club suffered a 21-run home defeat to Harare Sports Club. The return of Bryan Strang was not enough for Mutare as they lost ten wickets in 44.1 overs, leaving their score on 218 as they chased a victory target of 240.

Earlier, Harare Sports Club had been dismissed for 239 in 49.2 overs with a match-winning 101 by Brendon Taylor. Andre Hoffman was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets for 23 off eight overs. Former national team seamer Strang, sidelined for the past three months because of a hamstring injury sustained while preparing for the home series against South Africa, bowled ten overs and took no wicket for 38 with two maidens. Alec Taylor took three for 32 off 6.2 overs.

Kwekwe Sports Club, another previously unbeaten team, lost at home to Old Georgians by 31 runs. Half-centuries by former national team batsmen Craig Evans (72) and Gus Mackay (57) helped OGs to 274 for six off their allotted 50 overs. Kwekwe were all out in 44.1 overs with John Vaughan-Davies the top scorer on 60. Mackay ripped through the Kwekwe batting and took five wickets for 27 off 9.3 overs.

A high-scoring match at Alexandra Sports Club saw visiting Universals record the highest innings total of the season so far on their way to a 47-run win. Universals reached 343/6 off their allotted 50 overs with Charles Coventry scoring an outstanding 155. Alexandra were all out for 296 in 48.3 overs.

Champions Old Hararians recorded their second straight win with a four-wicket victory over Bulawayo Sports Club. Set 231 to win, OH reached 234/6 in 46.1 overs with Conan Brewer scoring 94. Clement Mahachi had earlier scored 104 as the hosts made 230 for seven off 50 overs.

Bulawayo Athletic Club beat Bulawayo rivals Queens by five wickets in the other match. Queens batted first and were dismissed for 230 in 44.4 overs with C Williams taking three for 26. BAC made 234 for five in 46 overs with Williams scoring an unbeaten 71.

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