THE current wet spell across the country has taken its toll on the National First League programme. Only one match, out of six, could be played during Week Seven of the current campaign.

The only match to go ahead was at Mutare Sports Club where the hosts beat Kwekwe Sports Club by eight wickets in a 48-over match. The visitors batted first and were skittled out for 145 in 47.2 overs with Richard Sims taking three wickets for 32 off 10 overs.

Mutare then reached their victory target in 21.1 overs after losing just two wickets. As he had done with the ball, Sims was the leading player with the bat as he finished unbeaten on 73 while Mark Burmester added a useful 39.

The victory saw second-placed Mutare close the gap on leaders Takashinga, whose match against bogey side Old Georgians at Eaglesvale could not be played. Mutare now have 15 points from seven matches while Takashinga, who had to share three points with OGs, are on 18 points. The two leading sides are scheduled to meet in the final round of matches in Mutare on 3 February.

Takashinga will, no doubt, feel hard done by the weather as they have dropped three points over the last two weekends because of rain. Unbeaten so far, Takashinga's match against struggling Queens Sports Club of Bulawayo at Eaglesvale on 2 December was the only match not to be played that week due to water seeping under the covers.

In other matches, Alexandra were supposed to host Bulawayo Athletic Club while Bulawayo Sports Club were expected to meet Universals. Champions Old Hararians were set to host last season's runners-up Queens in the capital while Harare Sports Club had travelled to Macdonald Club.

© Cricinfo