TAKASHINGA 1 had a tough Sunday as they lost to Gladiators Cricket Club by eight wickets in the Harare Metropolitan Cricket Association Vigne Cup First League at Old Hararians Sports Club.

The Highfield-based side struggled from the outset, with explosive opener Tinashe Kamunhukamwe dismissed for a golden duck in the first over, caught by Lennox Chando off Phase Mukabeta. Wicketkeeper Joylord Gumbie soon followed, exiting the crease for seven runs, leaving Takashinga 1 at 16/2.

Innocent Kaia provided some resistance, featuring in three partnerships worth 69 runs. He scored 28 runs from 44 balls before being bowled out by Owen Muzondo, leaving Takashinga 1 badly exposed on 71/4 after 16.3 overs.

Michael Blignaut chipped in with 22 runs off 36 balls before Muzondo bowled him out in the 21st over. Takashinga 1 skipper Roy Kaia tried to rebuild the innings, but his patient knock came to a halt after being trapped LBW by Mukabeta. At this stage, Takashinga 1 were staring down the barrel on 109/7 after 31.2 overs.

Sensing the impending danger, Bryn Majoka took matters into his own hands, scoring an unbeaten 33 runs off 42 balls. However, he ran out of batting partners as Takashinga 1 were eventually bowled out for 140 inside 39.1 overs.

Mukabeta was the pick of Gladiators’ bowlers, taking four wickets for 38 runs from 10 overs. Muzondo was equally impressive, taking three wickets for 35 runs in 10 overs.

In reply, Gladiators’ Lennox Chando smashed 68* off 44 balls, accounting for 10 boundaries and a maximum. Brendon Sunguro was also unbeaten on 17 from 14 deliveries, as Gladiators reached 142/2 inside 16.5 overs. Ashley Mufandauya and Panashe Taruvinga both fell to Michael Blignaut’s bowling, with the Takashinga 1 bowler picking two wickets for 44 runs in six overs.