…Double cup victory inspires Mutare fans

Ngoni Dapira

Rhinos – 227 all out in 46.2 overs (Ben Curran 73, Antum Naqvi 60, Ryan Burl 27; Tendai Chatara 4/30, Victor Nyauchi 3/43, Brian Bennett 1/29)

Mountaineers – 193-4 in 40 overs (Brian Bennett 70*, Timycen Maruma 53*, Joylord Gumbie 31; Antum Naqvi 2/27, Trevor Gwandu 1/27, Brad Evans 1/48)

MUTARE’s cricket franchise the Mega Market Mountaineers last Sunday scored a double cup victory in a pulsating Pro50 Championship final against Rhinos at Mutare Sports Club.

After clinching the Logan Cup, the Mountain goats as they are fondly called were under pressure to rewrite history and become double cup winners again in a final against Rhinos. With only 35 runs needed off 10 overs and six wickets in hand, the Duckworth-Lewis method confirmed the Mountain goats as victors, securing their second major title of the season after their Logan Cup triumph.

Madzibaba Frank raring for the Mountain goats during the Pro50 Match.

To show how much cricket has become popular in the eastern border city, local fans came in numbers to support. One notable fan nicknamed Madzibaba Frank because of his white garb and rod that is often associated with apostolic faith church members, raised the morale of the crowd with his theatrics throughout the match. He changed many outfits going around the field mobilizing support for the team.

Mountaineers won by 32 runs (Duckworth-Lewis method) after the match was rained down. Put in to bat first, Rhinos appeared well on course for a formidable total, reaching 152 for one in the 27th over. However, standout performances from Victor Nyauchi and Tendai Chatara with the ball, along with crucial contributions from Brian Bennett and Timycen Maruma with the bat, powered their victory.

At 157 for three, Rhinos still had a platform, but their innings unravelled when Chatara struck. He bowled Ryan Burl for 27 in the 40th over and then ripped through the lower order, claiming three more wickets in quick succession. The last six wickets fell for just 19 runs, with Nyauchi wrapping up the innings as Rhinos were bowled out for 227 in 46.2 overs. Chatara finished with outstanding figures of four for 30, while Nyauchi took three for 43.

Chasing what seemed a manageable target, Mountaineers made a steady start with Joylord Gumbie (31) and Tinashe Chiorah (21) putting on 44 for the first wicket. However, Rhinos hit back as both openers fell in quick succession, and when Naqvi dismissed the Welch brothers with consecutive deliveries, Mountaineers were in trouble at 66 for four.

But Bennett and Maruma turned the game around, counter-attacking with a match-winning 127-run partnership. Their unbroken stand left Mountaineers in firm control at 193 for four when bad light halted play. Bennett was unbeaten on 70, while Maruma remained on 53, ensuring Mountaineers were well ahead of the required rate.

Minister Mugadza (right) handing over the Logan Cup trophy to Tendai Chatara the Mountaineers Logan Cup captain.

The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honourable Advocate Misheck Mugadza graced the awards ceremony and applauded the Mountain goats for bringing the trophies home.

“This makes me proud as the resident Minister to celebrate this achievement by our cricket team Mountaineers. I am also a trustee of Mutare Sports Club so I am proud that our sports facilities are being made use of to nurture our talented youths and create employment in the process through such vibrant domestic cricket leagues like the Pro50 Championship and the Logan Cup,” said Minister Mugadza.

Mega Market Mountaineers Logan Cup captain Chatara who started playing for the Mountain goats in 2008 said the double cup victory comes at the right time.

“When I started playing for Mountaineers in 2008 we had senior players like Hamilton Masakadza and Stuart Matsikenyeri, but now I am being considered a senior player as well. The Logan Cup has always been the main trophy for Mountaineers, but it is quite exciting to win the double cup victory with Matsikenyeri who is now our coach because we had double cup victories before together as players,” said Chatara.

Adding, “We have a lot of talented young players and we thank good this has been proven by a double cup victory. The likes of Brian Bennett is doing well even at national level so we are happy to be in this position and now look forward to the T20 league that we now want to start.”

Chatara also urged aspiring young players to believe in themselves. He said as a product of grassroots cricket hailing from the high density suburb of Dangamvura, he made it  against all odds, which is what all aspiring young cricket players should realize.

Mountaineers coach Matsikenyeri said he is excited to have started on a good note as the Mountaineers coach and looks forward to more successful seasons.

“We already have new players and a good mixture of experience. At Mountaineers everyone earns their place. No one gets it on a silver platter, this is our policy. I look forward to more successful seasons,” said Matsikenyeri who was a former national cricket team batsman. (Commentary and match statistics compliments of Zimbabwe Cricket)

Mountaineers Pro50 Championship final and double cup awards presentation in pictures: