Sports Reporter
BLESSING Mahwire’s half century helped Southern Rocks overcome a poor start and take the first innings lead against Mid West Rhinos on the second day of their Logan Cup match at Kwekwe Sports Club yesterday.
Rocks, who had done well on the first day after dismissing Rhinos for 181 runs, could not fare any better with the bat as they resumed on 40/3 and struggled to reach 199 (all out), thanks largely to Mahwire’s 66.
But Rhinos’ Justin Lewis stole the show with a remarkable sevenwicket haul and got help from Ian Nicolson.
The pair shared 10 wickets between them.
Former CFX Academy leftarm medium pacer Lewis recorded his new career best bowling figures after bagging 737 and was very economical with statistics of less than two runs per over.
Nicolson chipped in with three wickets for 45 runs from 19.4 overs as Rocks batsmen struggled against the bowlers on the day. Mahwire who got in at number eight, and was featuring in his 74th first class match, was the only player to surpass the 50run mark before falling to Nicolson after presenting a catch to Mluleki Nkala.
Robertson Chinyengetere’s 46 runs, which chewed 194 deliveries in more than three hours, was the second highest score for the Masvingo franchise.
Rocks were reeling at 71/6 but the pair did well to prop up the innings after adding 119 runs for the seventh wicket to leave the side on 190/7.
Tailenders Tafadzwa Kamungozi (5), Hilary Matanga (4) and Brian Vitori (0) could not do much to increase the lead as Rocks perished at 199.
Rhinos began the chase with Gary Ballance (25) and Friday Kasteni (14) and were leading by 23 at stumps after the pair had put on 41 runs for the first wicket.
In Mutare, hosts Mountaineers looked on course to maintain their unbeaten record this season after restricting Mashonaland Eagles to 229 runs.
The Manicaland franchise who are chasing a fifth win in 10 games had batted first and put on 354 runs to take a first innings lead. Opener Bernard Mlambo led the way for the log leaders with a century.  His contribution of 141 runs was complemented by Timycen Maruma who scored 56 from 74 balls.

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