Harare City, The Citizens, regained top spot with a dominant three nil victory over Support Unit on a Saturday afternoon at Chikurubi Support Unit ‘A’ Mess Courts.
Harare City men had dropped to second on the log, two points behind Black Rhinos as they went face to face with Police side Gondoharishayi.
A nervy first set win by City (26-24), was followed by a convincing 25-14 win. The third set was an even more comfortable 25-20 win which condemned Support Unit to their third loss of the season.
CBZ Jewels were in no show and Correctional Spikers were handed all three points without even playing.
Support Unit managed to leapfrog UZ Wolves to third place with an easy three nil victory over fellow Police side Police Protection Unit. The third position can be kept if the Wolves succumb to log leaders Rhinos.
In the women’s category, ‘Girlz dzeTonaz’ consolidated their top spot with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Support Unit in the Saturday Game of the Week.
Support Unit’s wing-spiker Vimbai Chawasarira and middle Blocker Brenda Bendembe were first and second highest scorers in the match despite the loss as they amassed 15 points (13 kills and 2 service aces) and 13 points (6 blocks, 4 kills and 3 service aces) respectively.
The first set was characterised by unforced service errors by both sides as they both tried to manage first set nerves and City was the first to settle through constant service pressure from Wing Spiker Nyengeterai Guyo and lanky middle blocker Charity Chikore. 25-22 it ended in the first set.
Support Unit responded well as they found their feet through some good defence and counterattack play through wing spiker Vimbai Chawasarira. 25-22 they responded to leave the match deadlocked at 1-all.
The Citizens turned on the heat as they dominated from the service line once again and transitioned offensively through their ruthless middle hitters, Maud and Charity Chikore.
Gondo Harishayi didn’t help themselves as they continuously fed free balls to the grateful City receivers who dished three-point passes to their grateful young setter Kudzi Zinhumwe, who also obliged by out-guessing the Support Unit block. 25-11 it went the way of the Citizens.
Support Unit started the fourth set with good control of all the technical aspects of the game and their tactical approach was on point.
They led in most parts of the set to get to 23-13 at one point. City played their trump card as they brought on Charity Madhlangobe to serve. She however did well as she reduced the huge deficit to within 3 points. Gondo Harishayi held their nerves to clinch the set 26-24 resulting in a deciding set.
City’s Tracy Njanji and veteran Media Mafuti scored 10 points each to help their team to a 7th league win of the season.
The deciding set was a see-saw affair as both teams played good side outs up to 13-13. City, however, grabbed the initiative to win the decider, 15-13.
The win by City now means they sit two points clear of Support Unit at the top of the HVA Premier League.
ZRP Harare continued with their resurgence as they claimed 3-0 and 3-1 victories over Police Protection Unit and CBZ Jewels respectively. Their exploits made sure they made a huge leap from 7th to 4th, level on points (13 ) with Eagles.
Harare Poly claimed their first victory of the season with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Correctional Spikers. They now sit 8th from 11th on the log.
