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MANICALAND Mountaineers have retained the Logan Cup, which they won last year.

Although play on the last day of their final match of the competition against Rising Stars at Takashinga Sports Club in Highfield was not possible due to a wet outfield, Mountaineers had already done enough to lift silverware.

The draw as well as bonus points took Mountaineers’ season’s tally to 56 points, seven more than runners-up Harare Metropolitan Eagles.

Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani handed the Logan Cup to the champions on Wednesday and Mountaineers captain Tino Mawoyo said their success was due to sheer determination and hard work.

“We are over the moon to have retained the Logan Cup, as it’s our first time to win back-to-back first-class titles as Mountaineers,” an ecstatic Mawoyo said.

“To maintain our performance in a stop-start season was not easy, but I would like to say a big well done to our coach Shepherd Makunura and the technical department. To the boys, thanks for remaining focused on the goal in what was a trying first-class season. Without your dedication and passion we would not be here today.

“We take a few days off now and resume our hunt for the Pro50 honours. Our fielding has been an area of concern, but I believe if we can address that, we have a genuine chance of lifting the Pro50 trophy as well.”

Bulawayo Metropolitan Tuskers, the only other side that had a slim chance of beating Mountaineers to the Logan Cup title going into the final round of the four-day competition, came third after their match against Midlands Rhinos at Queens Sports Club ended in a draw.

Rhinos, the strongest team on paper, finished a disappointing fourth, having won only two matches and drawn three times.

Although they had one victory and drew three matches to finish last, Rising Stars certainly won many admirers as the youthful side impressively punched above their weight in their maiden first-class season.

The teams now shift their attention to the Pro50 Championship, Zimbabwe’s top-flight domestic 50-over competition, which resumes on Monday.

2017/18 Logan Cup final table
M    W    L    T    D    N/R    PT
M/Mountaineers    8    4    1    0    3    0    56
Harare Metro Eagles    8    3    2    0    3    0    49
Byo Metro Tuskers    8    3    3    0    2    0    44
Midlands Rhinos    8    2    3    0    3    0    37
Rising Stars    8    1    4    0    3    0    29
— ZC