By Trevor Makonyonga
Southern Rocks – 292 and 325 all out in 90.5 overs (Andre Odendaal 47, Tafadzwa Tsiga 46, Richmond Mutumbami 43; Clive Chitumba 4/66, Wellington Masakadza 3/57, Victor Nyauchi 1/23)Mountaineers – 211 and 252 all out in 84.2 overs (Gary Chirimuuta 89, Joylord Gumbie 48, Donald Tiripano 43; Roy Kaia 5/62, Tendai Chisoro 3/71) Rocks won by 154 runs
It has been memorable return season for the Masvingo based franchise Southern Rocks after they completed a sweep in this year’s Logan Cup with an emphatic 154 runs win over the Eastern Highlands side, Mountaineers.
A fiver wicket take by off spinner Roy Kaia (5/62) was the peak of the bowlers after a collective batting effort by the Southerners ensured a victory for them.
Mountaineers never looked like they would catch up on the 407 target that was set for them although Joylord Gumbie (48) and Gary Chirimuuta (89) had solid knocks in the second innings which were, however, not enough to match the Rocks total score.
After Tymcen Maruma retired injured in the first innings, it was rare enough to see Joylord Gumbie retire at 40 after he was struck on the arm.
This injury slowed down the mountaineers as Dion Myers came in to replace Gumbie but only managed to contribute a paltry 9 runs before Gumbie took to the crease again.
On his second spell, Gumbie only hit 8 and was done. The only other contribution was that of all rounder Donald Tiripano (43) who recently missed out on his maiden Test century for the Chevrons in Abu Dhabi.
Chirimuuta got unlucky when he was trapped leg before wicket by Tendai Chisoro with only 11 shot of a ton. With Mountaineers being a man shot as Maruma was unable to bat, Vincent Masekesa (0) gave away his wicket cheaply as he got stumped off the bowling of Roy Kaia.
Mountaineers were bowled out for 252.
Meanwhile, Rocks took all of the tournaments individual awards as well as being crowned champions after a seven-year hiatus.
For being the 2020/21 champions, the franchise received a trophy and US$5 000.
Roy Kaia was the biggest winner as he bagged US$3000 for being player and batsman of the tournament respectively.
Tendai Chisoro was the bowler of the tournament and he took home US$1 000 cheque.
