National team captain Brian Murphy returned to the domestic scene and inspired Universals to a stunning victory over the previously unbeaten Takashinga, and in the process opened the National First League championship race wider.

The league, which had seemed a two-horse race before the break, resumed on January 6 after a two-week festive holiday break. Universals romped to a comprehensive 110-run home win over leaders Takashinga and join the race for the title with just two rounds of matches remaining.

The hosts, who are now strongly in the championship picture, batted first and were all out for 239 in 49.3 overs with opener Brian Murphy top-scoring on 66. The Zimbabwean captain had just returned from the current tour of Sri Lanka because of a hand injury, which he felt made it difficult for him to bowl effectively in the Test matches. The injury problem meant that Murphy could not bowl against Takashinga. Darlington Matambanadzo weighed in with 60 runs as the hosts plundered runs against the seemingly out of sorts Takashinga attack.

In reply Takashinga were dismissed for a mere 128 in the 39th over with off-spinner Hamid Adam taking three wickets for 31 off 10 overs. The slump by Takashinga, who went into the break with a six-point lead over second-placed Mutare Sports Club, brings memories of last season's championship where long-time leaders Universals fell at the very last hurdle.

Last season Universals went into the final round of matches needing just a draw to snatch the title from Old Hararians, but they surprisingly lost and dropped to third in the final standings. OH, who had not been at the top of the championship during the season, won their final match and retained the title.

The effects of Takashinga's defeat to Universals were, however, minimized by the non-fulfillment of the match between second-placed Mutare Sports Club and Bulawayo Sports Club. The match between Old Georgians and Queens Sports Club was also affected following the last-minute change of travel arrangements by the national airline Air Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Cricket Union have indicated that the tight domestic schedule makes it difficult for them to reschedule the matches and the affected teams will have to share points.

Disappointing Old Hararians, who mathematically relinquished their title just before the break, slumped to yet another defeat. The champions lost to Harare Sports Club by three wickets. OH made 191 for nine off their 50 overs with opener Paul Strang scoring 76. HSC reached 193 for the loss of seven wickets in 41 overs.

Hosts Kwekwe Sports Club beat struggling Bulawayo Athletic Club by 132 runs. Batting first, Kwekwe made 266 for seven off their allotted 50 overs. Opener and former national team player Raymond Price led the scoring with 63 runs. Terrence Duffin, batting at number three, added 53 runs while all-rounder Dirk Viljoen made 39.

BAC were skittled out for 134 in 30.2 overs with left-arm spinner Price taking four wickets for 17 off seven overs. In the other match, Alex Sports Club beat struggling Mac Club of Bulawayo by 67 runs.

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