Game day 1
Satuarday 11th July (Boys)
Match 1 Summary
Busoga College Mwiri: 171/3 (17 overs)
Ngora High School: 29 all out (10.3 overs)
Result: Busoga College Mwiri won by 142 runs
Player of the Match: Joshua Kisira (Busoga College Mwiri)
Match 2 Summary
Ngora High School: 49/9 (15 overs)
Busoga College Mwiri: 50/3 (8.4 overs)
Result: Busoga College Mwiri won by 7 wickets
Player of the Match: Trevor Arikiriza (Busoga College Mwiri)
Busoga College Mwiri made an emphatic start to cricket’s historic debut at the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Ball Games II, recording two convincing victories over Ngora High School on the opening day of competition in Gulu.
The introduction of cricket as one of the demonstration sports at this year’s Games marks another significant milestone in the sport’s expansion within Uganda’s school system, with St. Joseph’s College Layibi hosting the inaugural matches.
Mwiri, one of the country’s traditional cricket powerhouses, wasted little time underlining their pedigree as they took firm control of the boys’ best-of-three series with dominant performances in both encounters.
After Ngora High School won the toss and elected to field in the opening match, Mwiri produced a clinical batting display, amassing 171 for 3 in their allotted 17 overs.
Leading the charge was Joshua Kisira, whose composed unbeaten 74 off 52 deliveries anchored the innings and earned him the Player of the Match award.
Ngora,was bowled out for just 29 in 10.3 overs as Mwiri secured a commanding 142-run victory.
The second match offered encouraging signs for the Teso Zone representatives despite another defeat.
This time Ngora chose to bat first and posted 49 for 9 from their 15 overs, showing improved application with both bat and ball.
However, Mwiri comfortably chased down the target in just 8.4 overs, losing three wickets on their way to a second successive victory. Trevor Arikiriza was named Player of the Match for his all-round contribution.
While the scorelines reflected Mwiri’s experience, Ngora’s steady improvement between the two matches highlighted the potential of a side still learning the fundamentals of the game.
The teams will meet twice more, with the overall winner of the series being crowned champions.
Mwiri captain Martin Kisubi praised his side’s approach while insisting there is still room for improvement.
“Today’s games were good and the opponents competed well. As Mwiri, we have to maintain our standards and continue performing at our very best.”
Ngora captain Solomon Ekiba remained upbeat despite the defeats.
“It was our first time playing against a strong team like Mwiri. The first game was difficult, but I saw improvement in the second. We shall continue working together as a team and give our best in the remaining matches.”
The girls’ competition also gets underway with Light Secondary School facing Sacred Heart Secondary School, Gulu, in a four-match series.
Cricket’s debut at Ball Games II is being overseen by Technical Director Simon Kintu, supported by umpires Anthony Wantono, Sharon Athoula and Emmanuel Kamya.
Cricket joins Kho Kho, Kabaddi, Pickleball, Darts and Golf as demonstration sports at this year’s USSSA Ball Games II, reflecting the association’s continued efforts to broaden opportunities for young athletes and accelerate the growth of emerging sports across Uganda’s secondary schools.
Upcoming Fixtures
Monday, 13th July (Girls)
Sacred Heart vs Light SS
Light SS vs Sacred Heart
Tuesday, 14th July (Boys)
Ngora High School vs Busoga College Mwiri
Busoga College Mwiri vs Ngora High School
Wednesday, 15th July (Girls)
Busoga College Mwiri vs Light SS
Light SS vs Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart vs Light SS
Participating Schools
Busoga College Mwiri (Boys)
Ngora High School (Boys)
Sacred Heart (Girls)
Light SS (Girls)