Tongai Mashonga
KWEKWE — Rhinos franchise cricket club stunned Tuskers in two Pro 50 Championship matches played in Bulawayo last weekend and stormed into the final set for Kwekwe Sports Club.
Rhinos face Mountaineers from Mutare, on Saturday in a match the Manicaland franchise cricket side starts as favourites as it is loaded with experienced players some of whom have played for the Cheverons.
Admire Marodza Rhinos General Manager said: “It is always a good feeling to host matches and hosting such a final becomes extraordinary. We are looking forward to a great final and I hope we will put up a good show as management and administrators.
“We are expecting a great performance from our Rhinos team and give Mountaineers a good run for their money. We are a very strong unit and team. The side can bat and bowl from number one to 10 or 11. Hopefully we will win the final.
“The Kwekwe community has done well in supporting Rhinos and we have not disappointed them. It is a big match for the Midlands, a big match for Kwekwe and a big match for Rhinos. We expect people to come in their hundreds to support Rhinos and we will entertain them fairly and squarely,” he said.
Rhinos travelled to Bulawayo sitting on third position and pulled off a giant act in dispatching their more fancied Tuskers side to reach the final. Tuskers had been at the apex of the five -team log but dropped to second as Mountaineers took over the table leadership before their clash with Rhinos.
The Adam Chifo coached Rhinos side dispatched Tuskers by four wickets in the first game and went on to win the second game by 50 runs at Queens Sports. Mountaineers beat Alliance Health Eagles in their first match at Mutare Sports Club. The second match ended in a tie.
Thus Rhinos leap frogged from third to the top of the log with 55 points, while Mountaineers finished second with 49 points.
Tuskers finished third on the log with 40 points, Eagles took fourth position with 35 points and Masvingo side Southern Rocks ended the Pro 50 campaign at the bottom of the log with 20 points.
