Queens Sports Club and Takashinga Patriots 1 were crowned champions of the National Premier League (NPL) Women’s and Men’s Super 40 competitions, respectively, after impressive victories over the weekend.
Queens Sports Club claimed the women’s title with a commanding 95-run victory over Takashinga Queens in the final at Kwekwe Sports Club on Saturday, while Takashinga Patriots 1 secured the men’s championship with two matches to spare after maintaining their unbeaten run.
In the women’s final, Queens Sports Club recovered from a difficult position of 87 for five to post 208 for nine in their allotted 40 overs. Tasmeen Granger anchored the innings with a composed 56 off 59 balls, while Thubelihle Saidi contributed 29 as the pair shared a crucial 84-run sixth-wicket partnership.
Loryn Phiri also chipped in with 31 as Queens recovered strongly after losing early wickets, including two through run-outs. Munenyasha Mandidzora was the best of the Takashinga bowlers, taking three wickets for 53 runs, while Precious Marange claimed two for 31.
Takashinga Queens’ chase got off to a disastrous start as they slipped to 10 for four inside the opening three overs. Queens captain Nomvelo Sibanda spearheaded the attack, producing a devastating spell that yielded five wickets for just 17 runs.
Lorraine Pemhiwa offered some resistance with a fighting 64, but lacked the support required to sustain the chase. Only Francisca Chipare, who made 13, reached double figures alongside her as Takashinga were bowled out for 113 in 16.5 overs.
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The emphatic victory secured Queens Sports Club the NPL Women’s Super 40 crown.
In the men’s competition, Takashinga Patriots 1 completed a dominant campaign by defeating Eastern Titans by nine wickets at Takashinga Cricket Club to clinch the title with two games still to play.
Eastern Titans were dismissed for just 55 in 24 overs, with opener Takudzwa Nyamugure top-scoring with 25 from 58 balls. Tapiwa Mufudza was the chief destroyer for Takashinga, claiming four wickets for 16 runs in six overs, while Antum Naqvi and Tanaka Chivanga took two wickets apiece.
Takashinga made light work of the modest target, reaching 56 for one in just 6.2 overs. Tafadzwa Tsiga blasted 28 from 12 balls, including five fours and a six, before his dismissal, while Innocent Kaia finished unbeaten on 16 and Brendan Taylor was not out on five.
The result gave Takashinga Patriots 1 an unassailable lead at the top of the standings and extended their perfect record to 11 wins from 11 matches.
The weekend therefore delivered two NPL Super 40 champions, with Queens Sports Club ruling the women’s competition and Takashinga Patriots 1 completing a dominant unbeaten campaign to claim the men’s crown.
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