Pre-Game Ritual: Juma Miyaji of Ceylon Lions (R) flicks the coin at the toss as Rounders captain Narinder Singh (L) calls with umpire Sharon Athoula monitoring the proceedings. PHOTO/COURTESY
Match Day Five of the 2025 UCA Men’s 50 Overs League delivered high drama, surprise setbacks, and a reshuffle of positions at both ends of the table on Sunday May, 4. With unbeaten runs broken, rain altering outcomes, and new sides making statements, the day offered a thrilling round of action.
DIVISION I - PREMIERSHIP
Ceylon Lions vs Rounders – Serenity Oval, Kamengo
Rounders won by 49 runs
Ceylon Lions suffered their first defeat of the season, losing by 49 runs to Rounders CC at Serenity Oval. Having won the toss and elected to bowl, the Lions dominated early, reducing Rounders to 57/5. But a gritty 48-run stand between Steven Wabwose (37) and Calvin Watuwa steadied the innings. Watuwa then anchored a crucial 57-run last-wicket partnership with Arnold Tembo Zubair (15*), finishing with a match-defining 87. Rounders were bowled out for 200 in 43.4 overs.
Cosmas Kyewuta and Juma Miyaji each bagged four wickets, while Johnson Okabo claimed two.
Ceylon Lions began their chase brightly, powered by veteran Frank Nsubuga’s blistering 76 (11 sixes) and Ankit Patel’s 44. However, once Nsubuga fell, the innings collapsed, and the hosts were bowled out for 151 in just 25 overs. Tembo was unplayable, finishing with seven sensational scalps.
Player of the Match: Arnold Zubair Tembo (7 wickets for 39 runs, game-winning bowling spell)
Aboojo vs JACC – Jinja SS Oval
JACC won by 3 runs DLS method (Rain-Affected)
Aboojo fell to their second successive defeat – by three runs, this time in a rain-hit encounter against Jinja Association of Cricket Clubs (JACC), decided via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.
Aboojo posted 162/8 in 32 overs after electing to bat first, with Ivan Thawithemwira top-scoring with 33. JACC’s bowlers kept things tight and shared the wickets.
In response, JACC were 144/5 in 29 overs when rain halted proceedings. Richard Sohera (36) and Sadam Oyaga (24) guided the innings with composure, ensuring JACC were ahead of the DLS par score when play was called off. The win took JACC to the top of the table with 6 points from 4 matches.
Player of the Match: Richard Sohera (2 wickets for 20 runs & 36 runs in successful chase)
Wanderers vs Kutchi Tigers – Entebbe Cricket Oval
Kutchi Tigers won by 7 wickets
Wanderers remained winless after falling to defending champions Kutchi Tigers at Entebbe Oval. After choosing to bat first, Wanderers got solid starts from Suleman Shariff (39) and Perry Wazombe (44), but failed to accelerate and were dismissed for 179 in 47.3 overs.
Kutchi Tigers, led by Hasin Ashani’s commanding 90, chased down the target with ease, reaching 180/3 in 33.4 overs. The result propelled the Tigers to second place.
Player of the Match: Hasin Ashani (90 runs, anchored the chase masterfully)
DIVISION II - CHAMPIONSHIP
Kutchi Tigers B vs KC Budo – GM Sugar Oval
Kutchi Tigers B won by 68 runs
Kutchi Tigers B made an impressive league debut, beating King’s College Budo convincingly by 68 runs. Batting first in a 25-over encounter, Tigers B posted 158/5, with Navin Pindoria starring with a well-paced 74. Budo, in reply, struggled and were bowled out for 90 in 24.5 overs. Only veteran Michael Ndiko (21) offered resistance in a poor showing with the bat.
Player of the Match: Navin Pindoria (74 runs, top-scored on championship league debut)
Jinja SS vs Patidar – Florida Oval
Patidar won by walkover
Jinja SS failed to show up for their scheduled fixture, handing Patidar Samaj a walkover victory and full points.
Separating The Boys From Men: Aboojo lost a closely contested and rain-interrupted affair by just three runs courtesy of Duckworth, Lewis & Stern (DLS) Method. PHOTO/COURTESY
Standings Snapshot (After Matchday 5)
Division One – Premiership
• JACC – 6 pts (4 matches)
• Kutchi Tigers – 5 pts (3 matches)
• Ceylon Lions – 5 pts (4 matches
Division Two – Championship
• Group A: Soroti City – 4 pts (2 matches)
• Group B: GM Sugar – 4 pts (2 matches)
Notable Performances – Match Day Five
Batting Highlights:
- Calvin Watuwa (Rounders) – 87 runs under pressure, rescued his side from 57/5.
- Frank Nsubuga (Ceylon Lions) – 76 runs off 41 balls, smashed 11 sixes in a losing cause.
- Hasin Ashani (Kutchi Tigers) – 90 runs in a commanding run chase vs Wanderers.
- Navin Pindoria (Kutchi Tigers B) – 74 runs anchored his team to victory in the first game.
Bowling Highlights:
- Zubair Tembo (Rounders) – 7 wickets vs Ceylon Lions. Player of the Match.
- Kutchi Tigers Bowlers – Collective effort to restrict Wanderers to 179.
- Richard Sohera (JACC) – 2 wickets to stifle Aboojo & crucial 36 runs in DLS win
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