Drama-filled weekend for title chasers as Challengers stay top

KAMPALA.

One game was done before lunch in Kyambogo. Then ACC got 165 thanks to a swashbuckling 19-ball 52 from Robert Okot but it was Aziz Damani, who without having to bat, that were awarded victory at the King’s College Budo Oval.
ACC’s crime? They took to the field for the second innings with less than nine players in matching jerseys.

In Lugogo, relegation-threatened Tornado almost pulled off a heist chasing 260 for victory against Patidar Samaj but bad-light put paid to any of their hopes.

Such was the intensity with which all games were played on Sunday, cricket lovers were left wishing they could catch all of the National Men’s Cricket League action.
Henry Ssenyondo single-handedly ensured that Challengers (48) remain atop the table with at least a 10-point cushion. The left-arm orthodox spinner prized out eight wickets as Wanderers collapsed for 73 runs.

Arthur Kyobe (35 off 24) and Mohammed Aneef (29 off 20) were unbeaten and brutal in the chase as Challengers sealed their eighth win of the season at Kyambogo.

At Lugogo, John Gabula (87 off 113) and Richard Okia (41 off 59) almost made Patidar pay for their clumsy fielding in the chase of 260 and the latter will have the umpires (Grace Mutyagaba and Michael Okoth) to thank for having extended time of play and forthwith helping them over the victory tape.

But the mother-of-all clashes was at the lakeside oval in Entebbe where a tense but low-scoring spectacle was played out between title hopefuls Nile and defending champions Tornado Bee. “We were lucky not to lose,” said Tornado Bee skipper Jeremy Kibuukamusoke. “We still have a game in hand but more work to do.”
Due to the closure of Kampala-Entebbe highway, Nile and, umpires Paul Okecho and James Bamulese arrived late. The morning showers further reduced the game to 33 overs. Simon Ayella (2/11) and Ivan Kakande (3/18) restricted Tornado Bee to 91 runs in 29.5 overs. Nile batsmen, too, caved in to Deus Muhumuza (2/5), Roger Mukasa (2/19) and Davis Karashani (3/18) but their captain David Musoke (40 off 88) stayed firm.

He stuck in with last man Alvin Bagaya, needing five runs to win off Charles Waiswa’s (2/21) final over. Musoke flicked Waiswa to tie but Waiswa got Musoke caught behind, two balls later, for a fascinating tie.

RESULTS - DIV. I
Patidar 259/9 [249] Tornado 238/9
Wanderers 73/10 Challengers 77/0
Tornado Bee 91/10 Nile 91/10
DIVISION TWO
ACC 165/10 Damani DNB
* Match awarded to Damani
SKLPS 350/10 Mwiri CC 119/10
DIVISION THREE
Avengers 123/10 K’la Pirates 125/5
Strikers 228/10 JACC 60/10