National reserve wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu is becoming one of the most significant figures in the national first league with his ability to play three roles effectively in one match. The sixth-form Churchill student, who turns out for league leaders Takashinga, is an influential batsman who keeps wicket for the first 15 to 20 overs before turning to bowling.

In the fourth round, Taibu became the first bowler to take six wickets this season as Takashinga extended their unbeaten run with a convincing 152-run win over Alexandra Sports Club. Taibu took the ball in the seventh over with Alex having made 36 without loss off the first five overs, 30 of them coming off Takashinga captain Ranga Manyande's three overs.

Sharing the ball with Patrick Gada, Taibu took six for 14 in 6.1 overs as Alex slumped to 70 all out in 18.1 overs in reply to Takashinga's 222/7 in 50 overs. Gada also played an important role in the demise of the Alex fightback, taking the other four wickets for 17 off seven overs.

Taibu has now taken 10 wickets for 55 runs in two matches. Apart from being the leading wicket-taker for his club, Taibu is also the leading batsman with 224 runs in three innings. The defeat was Alex's second in four matches.

Champions Old Hararians also suffered their second defeat in four starts when they lost to rivals Old Georgians by 87 runs. Half-centuries by Craig Evans (76) and Barney Rogers (61) helped Old Georgians to 217 for five off their allotted 50 overs. OH were then dismissed for 130 after 39.2 overs.

Visiting Mutare brought Universals, who went into the weekend lying fourth, down to earth with a comprehensive nine-wicket win. Universals, who seemed to have recovered from a poor start to the season, were all out for a mere 141 in 34.5 overs with Justin Lewis taking five wickets for 34 off 10 overs.

The target of 142 was never going to trouble Mutare, given the availability of former national team opener Alistair Campbell. Campbell, who has been scoring runs regularly for both his club and the Board XI, almost single-handedly led his side home with an unbeaten 82 as Mutare made 143 for the loss of just one wicket in 27.1 overs.

Given his record over the past month, it will only be a matter of time before Campbell rejoins the national team from which he was dropped because of poor form at the end of the home series against England. Mutare are now second in the first league, three points behind leaders Takashinga.

Queens registered their first win of the season with a three-wicket win over Bulawayo rivals BSC. Bulawayo Sports Club made 224 for nine in their 50 overs with top score of 91, run out, coming from Keith Dabengwa. Former national team player John Rennie was the best of the Queens attack, taking four wickets for 25 off nine overs.

Queens reached their victory target of 225 for the loss of seven wickets with 36 balls to spare. Neil van Rensburg led the batting with 95.

The other all-Bulawayo match between Mac Club and Bulawayo Athletic Club could not be played because of a wet BAC outfield.

Harare Sports Club won their third match in four starts with a three-wicket win over Kwekwe, who suffered their second straight loss in a high-scoring match. Opener Terrence Duffin finished with an unbeaten 104 as Kwekwe made 281 for six off 50 overs. Eddo Brandes led the visitors' run chase with 86 not out as Harare Sports Club reached 286/7 with seven balls remaining.

SCORES AND RESULTS

Alexandra v Winstonians – Winstonians won by 152 runs

Winstonians 222 for 7 in 50 overs; G Makoni 32, W Chawaguta 48, T Taibu 40

Alexandra 70 all out in 18.1 overs; T Taibu 6 – 14, P Gada 4 – 17

Universals v Mutare – Mutare won by 9 wickets

Universals 141 all out in 34.5 overs; C Coventry 44, J Lewis 5 – 34

Mutare 143 for 1 in 27.1 overs; A Campbell 82*, N Ferreira 37

Queens v Bulawayo Sports Club – Queens won by 3 wickets

B S C 224 for 9 in 48 overs; C Mahachi 38, K Dabengwa 91, J Rennie 4 – 25

Queens 225 for 7 in 44 overs; R King 35, N van Rensburg 95

Old Hararians v Old Georgians – Old Georgians won by 87 runs

O G 217 for 5 in 50 overs; B Rogers 61, C Evans 76, P Strang 3-36

O H 130 all out in 34.2 overs; W Mwayenga 3 – 19

Kwekwe Sports Club v Harare Sports Club – H S C won by 3 wickets

Kwekwe 281 for 6 in 50 overs; T Duffin 104, D Houghton 65

H S C 286 for 7 in 48.5 overs; B Taylor 32, J Cornford 33, D Campbell 40, E Brandes 86*

Bulawayo Athletic Cub v Mac Club – No play due to wet outfield

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