Harare — Newly promoted Shabanie Mine's fairytale run came to an end when they were thrashed 4-1 by defending champions, Highlanders.

Goals by Siza Khoza, Gift Lunga, Richard Choruma, and Tapela Ngwenya were enough to sink Shabanie.

The goals also saw Highlanders move up the table to second position, two points behind leaders Chapungu.

Highlanders are the only team with a 100 percent winning record. The Bulawayo giants have won all the four games they have played this season.

Making the victory even sweeter for Highlanders was the fact that it was achieved without three of their key players, Thulani Ncube, Melody Wafawanaka and Johannes Ngozo, who were with the national team in Lesotho.

The win was also a huge confident booster for Highlanders who face Tanzania's Young Africans in a Champions League match this weekend.

There was joy for Gweru-based, Chapungu, too, who kept their unbeaten run for the sixth match with a 1-0 win over Motor Action, courtesy of Wellington Shangiwa's goal.

The strike saw Chapungu retain their pole position. The woes for 1996 champions, Caps United continued.

The pharmaceutical side travelled to Wankie and returned empty handed. Obert Moyo struck from the penalty spot to give fellow strugglers, Wankie the maximum points.

Amazulu also maintained their revival with a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe Saints, while Circle United lost their fifth game, after losing 2-1 against Railstars. Buffaloes also lost 1-0 to Masvingo United.

The talking point in the league, however, has been the standard of refeering, which has seen some appalling decisions being made.

Referee Boniface Musevenzo approved Circle United's strike that went through the side netting, while Godfrey Gombwe disallowed Buffaloes' clear goal against Masvingo United.

Top referee, Joseph Mususa denied Zimbabwe Saints of what appeared to be a genuine penalty in the second-half against Amazulu.

 League Table
P W D L F A Pts
Chapungu 6 4 2 0 12 5 14
Highlanders 4 4 0 0 10 4 12
Lancashire Steel 6 4 0 2 8 4 12
Shabane Mine 6 3 2 1 9 7 11
Motor Action 5 3 1 1 5 2 10
Masvingo 6 3 0 3 4 6 9
Railstars 5 3 0 2 8 7 9
Amazulu 5 3 1 1 5 3 8
Eiffel Flats 5 2 1 1 3 3 7
Dynamos 3 2 0 1 5 2 6
Wankie 6 2 0 3 5 7 6
Zimbabwe Saints 4 1 1 1 1 1 4
Buffaloes 6 1 0 5 3 10 3
Caps United 4 0 1 2 0 4 1
Black Rhinos 4 0 0 2 0 4 0
Circle United 5 0 0 5 2 9 0