Victories for both league sides last weekend have given Manicaland their best start in several years. In Harare the first team defeated Old Georgians by 21 runs and although the margin seems small were never in danger of losing.

Grateful to be put in to bat on a good pitch by Old Georgians skipper Lance Malloch-Brown, Manicaland made 229 all out in 49.5 overs. Richie Sims top-scored with 51 whilst Kingsley Went made 47. Leon Soma smashed 31 off 16 balls (including 17 off one Gus Mackay over) and Tafadzwa Madondo added 29. Best bowlers were Mackay (3/48), Quentin Steyn (2/25) and Brad McCoun (3/37).

Old Georgians never came to terms with the run rate, reaching a flattering 208 for nine after a few late overs of friendly spin. Barney Rogers (67), W. Mwayenga (31) and Malloch-Brown (31) were the main scorers, whilst Alistair Campbell (3/54) with some slow and slower off-spinners and Guy Whittall (3/27) were the best bowlers. Whittall knocked over danger men Mackay and Craig Evans in a tight mid-innings spell which took the game away from OGs.

Young Manicaland captain/wicket-keeper Neil Ferreira is benefiting from having former Zimbabwean captain Campbell in the slips where advice and explanations are given freely on field placements and general captaincy. This weekend when Manicaland play the powerful Harare Sports Club team in Mutare, Campbell and Whittall will be away with the Zimbabwe Board X1 in Potchefstroom.

Richie Sims can consider himself unlucky not to be in the team having scored three fifties in four knocks this season, whilst Barney Rogers, who has made the side, has only scored one in four. Both are useful off-spinners.

In Mutare Manicaland seconds had an equally emphatic win over Universals seconds. Winning the toss, Manicaland captain Deon Yatras sent the visitors in to bat with Mutare Sports Club outfield wet from overnight rain. The bowlers struggled to grip the ball, restricting Manicaland's options and allowing Universals 50 more runs than were merited. They were finally dismissed for 223 in the 44th over with K. Taibu (younger brother of national player Tatenda) top-scoring with 43. Yatras took 3/36 and schoolboy leg-spinner Keegan Taylor a long-awaited return-to-form 5/33.

After some early alarms Manicaland coasted home in the 31st over with Nayim Sheth (53), Alec Taylor (31 not out) and a majestically calm unbeaten 100 from 17-year-old Andre Soma. The second of three talented cricketing brothers, Soma has the goods to go all the way – the biggest threat to his success is his innate humility in the competitive arena of cricket brats and super-egos.

Apologies to Adiel Kugotsi who was incorrectly identified as Adiel Makota in last week's report.

In Mutare in the early part of the week was Worcestershire and England wicket-keeper Steve "Bumpy" Rhodes. Under contract to the ZCU, the engaging 37-year-old Yorkshireman held a number of coaching clinics at schools and clubs around Mutare with CFX Academy coach Shane Cloete. Totally unfazed at his lack of celebrity locally, his drills and enthusiasm soon won over pupils and coaches alike.

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