Cricket
Perfect double for Charity on Day One
Charity’s all-rounder Lawrence Ssempijja played a big role as his team made certain of a double on the opening day of the season at Kyambogo Oval. PHOTO by EDDIE CHICCO
In Summary
Cricket. Geoffrey Gandi picked six wickets as Nile brushed aside season debutantes Kutchi Tigers by 47 runs.
Charity Trust Fund were without their star players Jonathan Ssebanja and Henry Ssenyondo, who were on international duty with the national team in United Arab Emirates on Sunday. But it mattered little as the youthful side garnered two wins on Day One of the National Twenty20 Cricket League at Kyambogo Oval.
Ronald Ssemanda, the captain of the day, made the right decision when he won the toss and stuck in ACC in the morning fixture.
ACC scampered to 114 for 4 with former national under-19 internationals Brian Kiiza (28) and Jacob Muddu (25*) top scoring for the Division II outfit.
But 16-year-old Simon Ssesaazi (48*), who took the man of match award, and Ivan Thawithemwira (32*), signed from Wanderers, reduced the run chase to a mere mockery as they crossed the finish line with nine wickets in hand.
Ssemanda lost the toss in the second game as Shree Kutch Leva Patel Samaj (SKLPS) opted to bat first.
But their decision played into Charity’s hands as they collapsed to 94 for 9 thanks to the miserly figures of spin bowlers Henry Muyanja (4/8) and ‘prodigal son’ Derrick Bakunzi (3/11).
Charity lost five wickets in the run chase but lost Lawrence Ssempijja (23*) and skipper Ssemanda (14*) stopped the rot initiated by Vinod Kerai (2/16) to help their side home with 10 balls to play.
“We have done well,” said Ssemanda. “The wins could have been better but it is the first day of the season and you cannot ask for much.”
At Lugogo, medium pacer Geoffrey Gandi claimed the bowling figures of the day with a six-wicket haul as Nile dispatched season debutantes Kutchi Tigers by 47 runs.
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