Harare Sports Club clinched the Mashonaland Vigne Cup cricket tournament at the weekend after taking an unassailable lead following their six-wicket home victory over Universals. Second-placed Old Hararians lost ground after a crushing 84-run away defeat at Old Georgians, while Takashinga beat Alexandra Sports Club by eight runs.

All the teams had to play shortened matches because of the wet spell that affected the capital at the weekend. With just one round of matches remaining, Harare Sports Club have 70 points, a total which none of the other five teams can surpass.

Second placed Old Hararians have 50 points from nine matches and the maximum they can reach is 60, while Old Georgians and Takashinga, who both have 40 points from eight matches, can only get a maximum of 60 points. The weekend matches were however, marred by the absence of official umpires.

At Harare Sports Club, the match was reduced to 25 overs a side. Universals batted first and were 147 for nine after their 25 overs, with a top score of 24 by Neeten Chouhan, while Blessing Mahwire made 23. The hosts reached 149 for four in the 25th over with national team captain Stuart Carlisle scoring 53, while Mark Vermeulen scored 43.

At Alex, Takashinga batted first and were all out for 101 with Tatenda Taibu scoring 61. The hosts were then bundled out for 93 as Walter Chawaguta took four wickets for 16.

The match at Old Georgians saw the hosts compile 172 for six in 35 overs with Lance Malloch-Brown unbeaten on 79, while Gus Mackay scored 48. Ryan Butterworth took three wickets for 29. Old Hararians were then dismissed for 88 in 25.5 overs as emerging national team all-rounder Travis Friend took three wickets for 11.

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