By Faith Munezero

Game 1 - Lugogo oval (March 30)

Pioneer vs Jinja SSS - Walkover awarded against Jinja SS

Game 2 - Lugogo oval

Pioneer 86/6 in 20 overs (Barbara Mukankusi 30 off 40 balls, Lynette Nakato 11 off 25 balls; Susan Kakai 2/10 in 4 overs, Grace Imalingat 1/10 in 4 overs) lost to Jinja SSS 87/3 in 17.4 overs (Hope Mbeiza 29* off 42 balls, Susan Kakai 27* off 26 balls; Brenda Nabisalu 2/16 in 4 overs, Lynette Nakato 1/15 in 4 overs) by 7 wickets.

Player of Match : Susan Kakai (27* off 26 balls & 2/10 in 4 overs)

Game 1 - Entebbe Oval (March 30)

Aziz Damani vs KICC - match was washed out

Game 2 - Entebbe Oval 

Aziz Damani 99/4 in 20 overs (Sarah Bhakita 28* off 18 balls, Margaret Banja 20 off 32 balls, Stephannie Nampiina 18* off 17 balls; Franklyn Najjumba 2/18 in 4 overs, Mildred Anyigo 1/11 in 4 overs) beat KICC 53/9 in 20 overs (Tebah Achomo 10* off 14 balls; Immaculate Nakisuyi 6/6 in 4 overs, Teddy Ayella 2/11 in 4 overs) by 46 runs.

Player of Match : Immaculate Nakisuyi (6/6 in 4 overs)

The swiftness of the month's end makes one wonder what the year is rushing for. With the National Women's Mehta Premier League still ongoing, the simultaneous actions that resulted in both morning matches not taking place can only be a coincidence.

At Lugogo, Pioneer was awarded a walkover with Jinja SSS' late arrival to the grounds by 30 minutes, while a heavy downpour earlier that morning rendered the field unplayable with both Kampala Institute of Cricket Clubs (KICC) and Aziz Damani sharing the spoils. The action really started in the afternoon and here's how it went down;

Jinja SS make comeback over Pioneer

Jinja SSS broke their duck with a win over Pioneer at the weekend. The determined student-packed side, made their long trip to Kampala count despite a walkover in the morning game. Pioneer, who won the toss and opted to bat, had Barbara Mukankusi top scoring with 30 off 40 balls, assisted by Lynette Nakato who contributed 11 off 25 balls to propel their team to 86 runs by the end of the first innings. Jinja SSS managed to pick six wickets with Susan Kakai (2/10 in 4 overs) and Grace Imalingat (1/10 in 4 overs) leading the bowlers' attack by taking half the loot.

Jinja SS played to their strengths without too many notable big hits but always scampered for dear life at any scent of a single within the 30-yard arc.

With a target of 87 runs to win, Jinja SS' patiently went about their innings with Hope Mbeiza finishing not out, with 29 runs off 42 balls, while Kakai able contribution of 27* off as many balls to help their side to victory within 18 overs for a seven-wicket triumph.

Pioneer's only consolation was three wickets thanks to Brenda Nabisalu (2 for 16 in 4 overs) and Nakato (1/15 in 4 overs). While both teams did not leave Lugogo without points, Coach Habibu Mugalula will be very impressed with his team's performance, knowing the journey far from home was not in vain.

Aziz Damani win derby

With the lakeside oval unplayable that morning after the overnight rains blew away the covers, it took all of three hours before the next game commenced.

Both teams had been unbeaten so far and the game was a much-anticipated deal breaker. KICC won the toss and opted to field. Runs off the Entebbe wicket were hard to come by and with KICC piling pressure on with Damani was at 51/4 in 15 overs.

Margaret Banja Ngoche had put on a foundation of 20 runs off 32 balls before but it was the 17th over proved to be a game changer for Damani as they managed 11 runs in it.

Coach Yusuf Nanga was a pleasant man after another dominant show from his star-studded Aziz Damani side especially Immaculate Nakisuyi's shift with the ball that saw her claim a sixer.

Both Sarah Bhakita (28* off 18 balls) and Stephanie Nampiina (18* off 17 balls) finished unbeaten, putting on as many as 48 runs in the last five overs a feat which proved crucial considering they won the game by a similar margin.

Bhakita, who was dropped on zero got her breakthrough in the 18th over with 10 runs off two balls to propel Yusuf Nanga’s side to a fairly reasonable score by the end of the innings. KICC's Franklyn Najjumba picked two vital wickets (2/16 in 4 overs) that included Ngoche, while Mildred Anyigo's 1/11 in 4 overs ensured that Rita Musamali was not let loose for long.

KICC's hard work in 15 overs seemed to have gone for nought with a target of 100 runs on the wicket being difficult to attain. Consy Aweko's dot ball pressure made runs very hard to come by in her allotted spell as  she conceded only three runs in three overs that included two maidens.

Teddy Ayella picked two wickets (2/11 in 4 overs) but it was Immaculate Nakisuyi who won the game with a too-good-to-be true outstanding spell that saw her notch a six scalps (6/6 in 4 overs), picking as many as two wickets per over in two consecutive overs, to deservedly snap the Player of the Match award. 

Both Jinja SS and Pioneer got their first points of the campaign but it was Aziz Damani that rose to the summit of the log.

At 27/7 in 12 overs, KICC was in deep waters and sinking fast. Two more wickets in the next three overs didn't help matters. But despite the falling wickets, KICC's tail held their nerve, finishing with 51 for 9 in 20 overs, with Tebah Achomo contributing 10* off 14 balls. In the end, it was Damani’s day, yet again, with a 46-run victory who also assumed to the top of the log with eight points from their four outings thus far.