TAKASHINGA Queens handed White Rhinos Women’s cricket team an eight‑wicket defeat in the Julia Chibabha Women’s League at Prince Edward’s Chapel field on Saturday, keeping their title hopes alive and staying within striking distance of log leaders Gladiators.

The defending champions are now two points behind Gladiators, tied on six points with Old Hararians Women, but they hold a far superior net‑run‑rate – 2.984 compared with Old Hararians’ 0.364.

Winning the toss, Takashinga elected to bowl first. Their seam attack was ruthless, dismissing White Rhinos for a meagre 59 runs in just 19.5 overs. Chipo Moyo and Mitchel Mavhunga each claimed three wickets. Moyo, who bowled four overs, conceded only eight runs – an economy rate of two runs per over – while Mavhunga took three wickets for 10 runs from 3.5 overs. Buhlebenkosi Maphosa and Olinda Chare added one wicket each as Rhinos collapsed in the one‑sided 40‑over contest.

Chasing 60, Takashinga reached the target inside 11.3 scoring 60/2. Opener Betty Mangachena led the charge, scoring 19 off 27 balls with three boundaries before being dismissed in the sixth over, leaving the score at 31/1. Alice Marongwe added seven runs, and at 43/2 after 7.5 overs the innings steadied. Nokutenda Makanhiwa finished unbeaten on 18 from 24 balls, while skipper Lorraine Pemhiwa contributed eight not out from 14 deliveries, sealing the win without further loss of wicket.

White Rhinos’ Mitchel Wande was the lone bright spark, taking two wickets for 19 runs in 3.3 overs.

The victory marks a swift rebound for Takashinga after their loss to Gladiators Women the previous weekend.