Aziz Damani Masaka broke the bank to find the best players in the ladies league and that investment paid off after they were crowned champions of the ladies 2018 t20 league. The favorites Aziz Damani had a little matter of Pioneer to take care of in the morning semi final and they did so winning by 38 runs in Kyambogo with the defending champions Olila High School also winning their semi final against KICC by 9 wickets in Lugogo.
The final between the defending champions Olila High School and favorites Aziz Damani came down as a game between the two best sides in the ladies cricket right now. However, Damani had a more experienced squad that had two kenyan internationals in Maggie Ngoche and Sarah Bhakita backed up by African MVP and captain Gertrude Candiru, national team players Saidat Kemigisha, Mary Nalule and Immaculate Nakisuyi.
In the afternoon final Damani won the toss and chose to field first restricting the defending champions to only 106 runs all out in their 20 overs. The experienced Damani side was able to stay calm despite from blows from the Olila High batting line up but they failed to put together any partnership that could harm Damani losing wickets in clusters.
The ever green Maggie Ngoche opened batting with national team opener Saidat Kemigisha and the two slowly but surely hurt the Olila High bowling carefully running between the wickets and putting away bad balls for boundaries. Even though Damani lost wickets later on in the game they were comfortable winners by four wickets.
Damani who won the 2018 t20 crown promotion to the top division this season similar to what Olila High did last season, the new teams have each made statements of intent breaking the banks to make sure they win titles at the first time of asking.
Damani also won four of the five individual titles on offer with only Olila High School captain Joyce Mary Apio who took the best fielder award stopping them from completing a clean sweep.
Immaculate Nakisuyi took the MVP award, Saidat Kemigisha walked away with the best bats lady award, Maria Kagoya was best wicket keeper and Teddy Ayella won the best bowler award.
Individual Accolades
1. Best Wicket Keeper - Mariah Kagoya (Damani Masaka CC) - 18 dismissals
2. Best Fielder - Apio Joyce Mary ( Olila CC) - 16 dismissals
3. Best Bowler - Teddy Ayella (Damani Masaka) - 16 Wickets for 89 runs
4. Best Batsman - Saidat Kemigisha (Damani Masaka CC) - 261 runs
5. Player of Series - Immaculate Nakisuuyi ( Damani Masaka CC) - 207 runs, picked 12 wickets for 99 runs in 29.1 overs and 6 dismissals.