TAKASHINGA Patriots 1 succumbed to a four-wicket loss away to SOGO Rangers at Old Georgians Sports Club in the ongoing National Premier League (NPL) 2024 season.

The Highfield-based side failed to defend their score of 244-9 falling to a counter-attacking 94 from 93 balls from Nich Welch as wickets fell around him.

Blessing Muzarabani compounded Jayden Schadendorf’s misery in this year’s NPL as he dismissed him for two runs.

Matthew Campbell anchored Rangers run-chase with a patient 27 from 48 balls but was outfoxed by Sikandar Raza and edged an arm ball to wicketkeeper Joylord Gumbie.

Takashinga 1 did not strike with the ball as regularly as they would have wanted allowing Rangers to slowly take away the game from the visitors.

Welch got good company from Tadiwanashe Marumani 30 (26), Brian Bennett 27 (33) and Jonathan Campbell’s 23 (23) not out.

He played a mature innings, getting to his half-century by pulling Muzarabani for six over deep midwicket.

With victory in sight, Welch tried to finish the game in a hurry trying to get to his century. He was first dropped by Wellington Masakadza on 92 off Tanaka Chivanga but two balls later, Timycen Maruma did not make the same mistake holding on to a catch in the deep to deny Welch a hundred.

Raza was the pick of Takashinga 1 bowlers with two wickets for 37 runs, Chivanga also took two wickets for 56 runs.

Muzarabani and Tapiwa Mufudza took one wicket apiece.

Earlier in the day, after being sent in to bat, Boyz Dzangu did not have a great start as Tinashe Kamunhukamwe was bowled out by Kudakwashe Macheka’s bowling who bowled with his first ball of the match.

Macheka in his next over removed Innocent Kaia for four, caught by Ryan Burl at second slip to leave Takashinga 1 on 21-2.

Raza fresh from his T20 Blast stint with Northamptonshire scored a four and a six from 11 balls before he failed to time a flick off Alex Falao and was caught at midwicket by Bennett.

Gumbie and Maruma started rebuilding the Takashinga innings with a 53-run partnership for the fourth wicket before the former was dismissed one run short of a well deserved half-century.

Gumbie hit eight boundaries before he perished trying to take on Burl and was caught by Campbell at second slip.

Mr Cool, Alvin Chiradza came in with Patriots 1 in a precarious position 115-6 after 19 overs.

Chiradza once again took the game deep, allowing Muzarabani to take the attack to Rangers.

Muzarabani scored 43 from 43 balls, a knock consisting of three fours and three huge sixes. He tried to loft Brad Evans over cow corner but was caught by Matthew Campbell.

Chiradza shepherded the lower order to help Takashinga 1 to a good total before he was eventually dismissed for the first time this NPL after three innings..

He was bowled by Evans for 48 with five balls remaining before the close of Takashinga 1 batting innings.