SOGO Rangers secured their first National Premier League (NPL) title in convincing fashion, beating Methane Lions by 224 runs on Satirday at Old Georgians Sports Club, Harare.
Batting first, Rangers posted a massive 338 for four, led by David Johnson’s commanding 100, Jayden Schadendorf’s 91, and Jarod Basson’s fluent 66. Johnson and Basson shared a 136-run opening stand, while Schadendorf and Johnathan Campbell (55 not out) drove the total even higher.
Methane Lions offered little resistance, being bowled out for 114, with Brandon James and Wallace Mubayiwa taking three wickets each. Rangers finished the season on top with 24 points from 13 matches, earning the club’s first-ever NPL title.
Other matches included exciting finishes across the league. Takashinga Patriots 2 edged Rimuka by one run at Old Hararians Sports Club, with Baxon Gopito’s 66 and Ryan Kamwemba’s 48 helping post 210, while Rimuka’s Tarisai Musakanda top-scored with 76 in the chase. Queens Sports Club also won by a single run over Alexandra Sports Club, thanks to Nkosana Mpofu’s all-round heroics, including taking the final two wickets to secure the victory. Amakhosi 1 defeated Mbizo by six wickets, Ernest Masuku taking five for 12 before helping chase 103 alongside Bright Phiri. Takashinga Patriots 1 easily beat Amakhosi 2 by 10 wickets, powered by Innocent Kaia’s unbeaten 67 and Joylord Gumbie’s 34. Gladiators overcame Westside by five wickets, with Lennox Chando scoring 69 and Phase Mukabeta taking five wickets for 44 runs, while Eastern Titans beat Chiredzi by five wickets, Nigel Bonyongwe top-scoring with 92.
The final points table reflected Rangers’ consistency with 12 wins from 13 matches, followed by Takashinga 1 and Amakhosi 1 on 22 points each, and Takashinga 2 with 18 points.
