Manicaland suffered their first defeat of the season at Mutare Sports Club last Sunday when they lost to Harare Sports Club by 21 runs. Without their three national players they always looked off the pace and came close more by accident than good planning. A disappointingly small home crowd watched Manicaland fall into the underdog demeanour of old, overawed by big-name opposition and refusing to believe in themselves until the cause was lost.

Batting first, Harare Sports Club threatened to post 300 but the introduction of spin saw their last six wickets fall for 28 runs. 16-year-old schoolboy Brendan Taylor hit an accomplished 101, Worcestershire pro Paul Cornford 64, Bryan Strang 24 and Eddo Brandes 22 in a total of 239 all out off 49 overs. The score might have been 50 runs less had Manicaland captain Neil Ferreira handled his bowlers more skillfully. A ragged three-over spell from part-timer Kingsley Went gifted 33 to HSC whilst promoted five-wicket hero from last week's second-team victory Keegan Taylor kicked his heels. His newfound leg-spinning self-belief begged exposure whilst Andre Soma (0/23 in four) also had overs to burn. Pick of the bowlers were Alec Taylor (3/32 in seven) and Richie Sims (2/28 in ten including the vital breakthrough).

Manicaland's reply was tentative and unconvincing with five batsmen failing to kick on. Veteran Mark Burmester was unluckily run out from a bowler's hand deflection, but in truth his days as an opener must be questioned. Not quick enough to hook the short ones any more, his early exits merely put pressure on the top order. Sims played a solid 46 before inexplicably falling; Ferreira perished by his own hand on 31; Went charged down the pitch on 38 to hand Donald Campbell a free stumping and the Soma brothers threatened before self-immolating. Ferreira, Went and Leon Soma are academy-trained coaching professionals who would expect better from their pupils.

Needing three an over with six overs to bowl, Soma perished trying to hoist his fourth six in six balls. Ferreira skied a slow full toss - possibly succumbing to gamesmanship from Bryan Strang two overs previously - urging him not to slog as he looked a better player blocking. Whilst not in Bishan Bedi's class - who applauded his victims' strokeplay as he reeled them in - Strang's psychological value clearly exceeded his bowling efforts (0/38 off ten). Andre Hoffman (4/23 off eight) and Paul Cornford (2/28) were the best bowlers. Earlier Cornford upheld the spirit of the game by refusing a single after watching one of his drives incapacitate a fielder.

Manicaland II proved too strong for Old Hararians II playing at Hillcrest College on the same day. Batting first, Manicaland raced to 311/7 in their 50 overs with Tina Mawoyo (147), Deon Yatras (54) and Adiel Kugotsi (36) the main contributors. Zikali picked up 3/59 in 10 overs.

In reply, Old Hararians II were knocked over for 106 in the 20th over with Don Percival taking 4/17 and T.Chinoro 3/39. This was an embarrassing result for a once proud team now unlikely to win a game in the social Saturday afternoon leagues.

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