Manicaland's cricketers advanced closer to the top of the table with a crushing eight-wicket win over league leaders Kwekwe Sports Club at Mutare Sports Club last Sunday. Winning the league has assumed huge proportions for cash-strapped Manicaland with the generous prize money that comes with the title.

Caught with the majority of their first team away on national duty, the Midlands side was dispatched by early afternoon. Three pensioners who left the ground at the end of the first innings for a quick lunch were amazed to find the game all over by the time they returned. Families of the players outnumber regular spectators at most matches so there was concern the old-timers might feel cheated.

Batting first, Kwekwe were rolled over for 145 in 47.2 overs. Having rested up after driving the five hours from Kwekwe the day before, the visitors couldn't blame road-weariness for their abject display. Jameson High School coach Luther Mutyambizi from Kadoma hit an assured 39 and was the only batsman to look comfortable. He was particularly severe on Mark Burmester who found himself withdrawn from the attack earlier than he might have fancied.

Queuing up to take wickets for Manicaland were Richie Sims (three for 32), Ian `Coolbox' Coulson (two for 28) and -- making a rare comeback -- veteran Zimbabwean seamer Jon Brent (two for 6). An unusual spectacle was the sight of young wicket-keeper Neil Ferreira standing up to the former Manicaland assassin whose nickname `Moggy' is still well earned. As one seasoned spectator remarked, the 45-year-old Brent would have spent much of his spell hitting the gloves as hard as he could to drive Ferreira back.

Manicaland reached the target in 21.1 overs with Burmester blasting 39 and Sims a powerful unbeaten 73. Standing with umpire Kevan Barbour for the first time in a Manicaland match was 46-year-old medical doctor Mike Deary. Such was his enthusiasm for a game that he had driven the five hours from his home town of Chiredzi the day before.

The Manicaland second team travelled to Alexandra Sports Club in Harare the same day to play BAC second team in a rain-reduced 25-over match. The high-flying seconds had an easy 60-run victory to consolidate their position at the top of the second league. Manicaland posted 190 for nine with demoted first-team batsman Tafadzwa Madondo hitting 77. Former Manicaland stalwart Lee Adams (currently living in Harare) weighed in with 44. BAC sank to 130 for nine off their 25 overs.

This Sunday Manicaland first team travels to Harare to meet Bulawayo Athletic Club at Old Hararians. Home and away games between Manicaland and Bulawayo clubs are played in Harare to allow Bulawayo sides to fly in and avoid lengthy car trips. BAC - mischievously nicknamed `Bring Another Crate' after recently scoring only 28 and losing to OGs in two overs (before the pub had opened) - were promoted from the second league last season. So far they have done little to justify the ZCU's regular Z$170 000.00 air-bill to keep them in first league cricket.

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