BY Faith Munezero
Game 1 - Lugogo Oval (March 23rd)
Aziz Damani 139/2 in 20 overs (Immaculate Nakisuyi 50* off 36 balls, Rita Musamali 41* off 46 balls, Margaret Banja 34 off 34 balls; Mary Akello 1/17 in 4 overs, Kevin Auro 1/28 in 4 overs) beat Soroti Challengers 35/10 in 13.5 overs (Naome Kayondo 14 off 14 balls, Kevin Awino 13 off 17 balls; Teddy Ayella 2/1 in 1.5 overs, Immaculate Nakisuyi 2/3 in 3 overs) by 104 runs.
Player of the Match : Immaculate Nakisuyi (50* off 36 balls & 2/3 in 3 overs)
Game 2 - Lugogo Oval (March 23rd)
Soroti Challengers 69/4 in 20 overs (Janet Mbabazi 29 off 29 balls, Claire Mushakamba 13* off 31 balls; Immaculate Nakisuyi 1/5 in 4 overs, Teddy Ayella 1/8 in 4 overs) lost to Aziz Damani 70/3 in 11.3 overs (Margaret Banja 35 off 32 balls, Rita Musamali 22 off 27 balls; Kevin Auro 3/5 in 2 overs) by 7 wickets.
Player of the Match : Margaret Banja (35 off 32 balls)
Game 1 - Entebbe Oval (March 23rd)
KICC 111/7 in 20 overs (Mary Nanderenga 38 off 50 balls, Franklyn Najjumba 29 off 26 balls; Brenda Nabisalu 4/21 in 4 overs, Dorothy Losike 1/18 in 4 overs) beat Pioneer 65/10 in 18.3 overs (Leona Babirye 31 off 46 balls; Mildred Anyigo 4/11 in 4 overs, Franklyn Najjumba 2/7 in 3 overs, Patricia Malemikia 2/17 in 4 overs) by 46 runs.
Player of Match : Franklyn Najjumba (29 off 26 balls, 2/7 in 3 overs & 1 catch)
Game 2 - Entebbe Oval
Pioneer 75/7 in 20 overs (Barbara Mukankusi 33 off 44 balls, Lynette Nakato 12 off 32 balls; Franklyn Najjumba 2/16 in 4 overs, Mildred Anyigo 2/8 in 4 overs, Patricia Malemikia 2/13 in 4 overs) beat KICC 77/3 in 14.2 overs (Franklyn Najjumba 26 off 26 balls, Patricia Malemikia 22* off 11 balls, Mary Nanderenga 17* off 36 balls; Lynett Nakato 1/17 in 4 overs, Joan Bafana 1/4 in 2 overs) by 7 wickets.
Player of Match: Malemikia Patricia (22* off 11 balls & 2/13 in 3 overs)
The National Women’s Mehta Twenty20 League was in full-throttle once again with four matches on card. Kampala Institute of Cricket Clubs (KICC) got off the mark whereas Soroti Challengers suffered their first defeat of the campaign with overwhelming defeats to defending champions Aziz Damani Masaka Ladies Cricket Club.
Challengers challenged by Damani
The dream start for Soroti Challengers was marred in its tracks by a humbling Aziz Damani. The team that won the toss and opted to bat, set 139 runs for the loss of two wickets. Immaculate Nakisuyi and newbie Rita Musamali were the architects of this target ably supported by Margaret Banja. The chase was slow and but eventful for Damani with the Challengers all bundled out for 35 runs within 14 overs The only effort was from Naomi Kayondo and Kevin Awino who managed teen scores. Nakisuyi's two scalps for just three runs in three overs with an unbeaten 50* off 46 balls earned her a well deserved Player of the Match gong.
The second innings kicked off on a slightly better note for Soroti Challengers. Batting first, Janet Mbabazi top scored with 29 off as many balls to help her team to 69 runs for the loss of four wickets. An easy target for Damani, the ladies chased it within 12 overs, with Kevin Auro's three wicket haul of in two overs doing most of the damage. Margaret Banja and Rita Musamali propelled the team to victory with seven wickets in hand.
KICC dominate Pioneer
It was good news for KICC as the Hanumant Katkar-managed side won both the morning and afternoon games. KICC set 117 for 7 in the allotted 20 overs thanks to Mary Nanderega and Franklyn Najjumba's all round performance despite a splendid four-wicket spell by Pioneer's Brenda Nabisalu. The second innings proved tough for the latter, with KICC limiting them to 65 runs. Leona Babirye top scored for the side with 31 off 46 balls while Mildred Anyigo led the bowling attack with 4/11 in 4 overs to help KICC win by over 46 runs.
The afternoon game had Pioneer batting first, with Barbara Mukankusi and Lynette Nakato scoring 33 and 12 runs respectively with Anyigo and Patricia Malekemia picking two wickets apiece.
The chase was steady and unhurried with Najjumba and Malemikia putting on 26 and 23 runs respectively as KICC reached their target inside 15 overs to win by a resounding seven wickets.
