Northerns crush Westerns in Logan Cup encounter

Posted by brmtaylor.com admin on April 28, 2008

On day four of their match at Harare Sports Club, Northerns stormed home in a comprehensive defeat over the Westerns - widely considered to be a cup threat before the tournament began.

It was the national team players which caused the most damage. Brendan Taylor got the Northerns off to a good start, with a quickfire 40 before John Nyumbu got his man thanks to a diving effort by Tawanda Mupariwa at mid on. Northerns skipper, while Elton Chigumbura, smashed 186 - his highest First Class score.

Alois Tichana, who made his Mashonaland debut - and his captaincy debut - in the Faithwear One Day series of 2006 recorded his maiden First Class century with a fine knock of 106, despite being dropped twice on day 1. Tichana's luck came to an end when Freedom Takarusenga - the recalled allrounder who starred in the Logan Cup "B" division early this month - took an easy catch at mid on off the bowling of Mupariwa.

Under 19's captain Prince Masvaure chipped in with a half century, and was part of a 123 run stand with Chigumbura. Northerns managed to get to an imposing score of 6/417 declared.

Westerns struggled from the outset, losing 3 wickets in the last session of day 2 - international stars Raymond Price, Graeme Cremer and Gary Brent taking one each. All out for 137 on day 3, largely thanks to Ray Price's 4/24, Westerns were forced to follow on, and lost openers Freedom Takarusenga (bowled by Brent) and Bradley Staddon (caught by Chigumbura, bowled by Brent on 41) early.

Tafadzwa Ngulube put up some fierece resistance for his 51, maintaining his good form from the first match (also his First Class debut) in which he scored a century. Still, it wasn't enough, and the middle and lower orders crumbled, all out for 197.

Northerns won the match by an innings and 83 runs, leaving them comfortably at the top of the league table, well ahead of last years Logan Cup winners, Easterns (who were defeated by Northerns in the first round).

Westerns squad: Keith Dabengwa, Tawanda Mupariwa, Chris Mpofu, Sean Williams, Romeo Kasawaya, Khawulani Ntuli, Greg Strydom, Taurai Madhiri, Bradley Staddon, Thabo Mboyi, Njabulo Ncube, Simba Kusano, Mbekezeli Mabuza, Tafadzwa Ngulube, Bonaparte Mujuru, Benard Mukondiwa, John Nyumbu, Matthew Williams, Freedom Takarusenga, Tinashe Hove (Technical adviser: Robin Brown, Manager: Derrick Townshend)

In the other match of the round, Southerns and Easterns, currently only day 1's scores are known. Southerns appear to be in the drivers seat after scoring 271 all out in their first innings, thanks to half centuries by Richmond Mutumbami and wicket keeper Robertson Chinyengetere. Philemon Kadzitye and Shingirai Masakadza, brother of national team top order batsman Hamilton Masakadza, were the most damaging bowlers, each taking 3 wickets.