TAKASHINGA Patriots 2 suffered their second defeat of the National Premier League after falling two runs short against Gladiators Cricket Club in a tense low-scoring match played at Old Hararians on Sunday.

Takashinga 2’s bowlers gave the Highfield-based outfit a strong start, bowling out the Chitungwiza side for 158 in 33.4 overs. Leeroy Chiwaula (36) was the top scorer for Gladiators.

Shelton Mazvitorera, Daichi Nyandoro and Brandon Senzere each claimed two wickets for Takashinga 2 with Marshall Takodza and John Masara adding one apiece to wrap up the innings.

Chasing 159, Takashinga’s reply got off to a poor start. Both openers, Cephas Zhuwao (7) and Tino Chiwara (4), fell early in the first three overs. Tanunurwa Makoni then steadied the innings with a well-played 44 sharing a 62-run stand for the third wicket with Takodza (34).

But when Makoni was trapped leg before wicket in the 22nd over, the momentum shifted back to Gladiators. Nyandoro came in and fought hard with 34 runs, but Gladiators’ bowlers, led by Owen Muzondo their top wicket-taker with figures of four for 27, and Kohl Eksteen, who took three wickets, kept striking at key moments.

With just three runs needed from 105 balls, Takashinga’s lower order collapsed dramatically, failing to reach the target. They were eventually bowled out for 156 in 27.3 overs, handing Gladiators a narrow two-run victory.