Charity rally to first win, Patidar walk off in protest

But David Musoke steadied the ship with a 128-ball knock of 64 that comprised of a plethora of boundaries (five fours and one six).

Nile skipper Martin Ondeko was lost in two worlds after his club failed to record their maiden win in the Multiple Industries National Cricket League on Sunday. Nile suffered their third consecutive loss – a two-wicket loss to Charity Trust Fund at Lugogo Oval but he was neither gloomy-faced nor blissful.

“We gave our opponents a good challenge,” Ondeko, in a calm tone, told Daily Monitor. “Of course we are hurting. The game was in our hands but somehow we lost in the end.

Ondeko had earlier won the toss and opted to bat as his side limped to 154 all out in 49.2 overs. The captain wasn’t in his usual good nick as he was sent back to dressing for a quick shower without troubling the scores by Jackson Ogwang (4/30).

But David Musoke steadied the ship with a 128-ball knock of 64 that comprised of a plethora of boundaries (five fours and one six). Fresh from national duty in Bermuda, Brian Masaba added a pedestrian 29 off 65 but Charity captain Jonathan Ssebanja (2/26) and U-19 skipper Derrick Bakunzi (2/13) halted the recovery.

Charity started the chase slowly with Bakunzi continuing the good work with his own 65-ball 29 whereas John Tumusiime piled (13) and Ivan Thawithemwira (14) ably assisted in what looked like a losing cause. Masaba (4/23) and Geoffrey Gandi (3/55) were proving hard to tuck away then.

But in at nine, Ssebanja made the difference. He was both solid in defence and ruthless in attack enroute to top scoring with 36 off 41. His five boundaries and straight six onto the sightscreen helped reduce the climbing run-rate as Charity crawled back into the game.

Australian-import Daniel Strachan (18* off 35) provided the finishing touches with two exquisite fours to the mid-wicket region in the last over to give Charity a hard-earned victory – their first of the season after two losses to Tornado B and Patidar Samaj.

“This victory is what we shall bank on to thrive forward this season,” said Ssebanja as he shared high-fives with his teammates.

At the lakeside oval in Entebbe, Hamu Kayondo (89), Dennis Musali (27) and Trevor Kapere (2/28) were the architects of Wanderers’ clinical 36-run win over Rounders. The Jinja-based Rounders were bowled out for 152 in 37.5 overs while chasing a modest 188.

Meanwhile, Tornado B maintained their 100% record in three games with an easy win after Patidar Samaj players walked off the pitch with the scoreboard reading 131 for 8 in 32.5 overs after disputing the umpire’s decision in Kyambogo Oval.

Umpire Paul Okecho ruled that batsman Mohit Pose was out Leg Before Wicket (LBW) to Tornado B’s Cyrus Kibuukamusoke (3/20) – something that left the Patidar Samaj dug out up in arms. The disciplinary committee is yet to decide Patidar’s fate for walking off. Earlier wicketkeeper Nicholas Kebba’s 88 off 110 had helped Tornado B set 237.

MUTIPLE INDUSTRIES CRICKET LEAGUE
Nile 154/10 Charity TF 157/8 Charity won by two wickets

Tornado B 237/10 Patidar 131/8 Patidar forfeited match after 32.5 overs

Wanderers 188/7 Rounders 152/10 Wanderers won by 36 runs

DIVISION II - TWENTY20
Warriors 130/8 JACC 113/7 Warriors won by 17 runs