ALL-rounder Marshall Takodza produced a match-winning performance with bat and ball as Takashinga Patriots 2 beat Methane Lions by 65 runs in a National Premier League (NPL) clash at Old Hararians on Thursday.

Stand-in skipper Daichi Nyandoro won the toss and chose to bat first on a good surface. The innings had a shaky start when opener Tino Chiwara was run out for five in the fourth over. Tanunurwa Makoni tried to steady things with 30 runs but was trapped in the 15th over.

Takodza then took charge at number four, blasting 79 from 77 balls with nine boundaries. He was the chief enforcer in a 120-run stand with Brandon Senzere, who chipped in with a composed half-century from 61 balls. Nyandoro added an unbeaten 31 late in the innings, guiding his side to a good total, 288/7 in the team’s allotted overs.

In reply, Methane Lions showed some resistance, particularly through a 66- run fourth-wicket partnership between Bright Njanji (44) and Richmond Mutumbani (30). But the chase never gathered momentum as Takashinga’s bowlers kept striking at regular intervals.

Takodza capped off his day with the ball, taking three wickets for 38. Nyandoro, John Masara, and Tanyaradzwa Kagumba each picked up two scalps, while Ryan Moyo added one as the Lions were bowled out for 223 in 42 overs.

The win puts Takashinga 2 in third place on the log, just behind Takashinga 1 and table leaders SOGO Rangers.