Bujjagali Rafters blew hot and cold on opening day of the Waterfalls Men’s Elite T20 tournament, producing the highest and lowest totals of the competition at Lugogo Cricket Oval.
In the morning, they were ruthless, posting a commanding 221/3 to hammer Itanda Kayakers by 113 runs.
However, the afternoon saw a dramatic collapse to just 83 all out against Karuma Rapids.
The Rapids then chased comfortably for a seven-wicket win, leaving the Rafters with a split day that perfectly reflected their extremes.
Bujjagali Rafters vs Itanda Kayakers – Morning Game
Toss: Itanda Kayakers won the toss and elected to bowl
Bujjagali Rafters: 221/3 in 20 overs
Itanda Kayakers: 108 all out in 14 overs
Result: Bujjagali Rafters won by 113 runs
The Bujjagali Rafters kicked off the day-one morning game of the double-header at Lugogo Cricket Oval with a commanding all-round performance in the Waterfalls Men’s Elite T20, leaving the Itanda Kayakers thoroughly outplayed.
Asked to bat first after losing the toss, the Rafters produced a dominant batting display under overcast conditions.
Fahad Mutagana set the tone early with a blistering 52 off just 27 balls, striking five fours and four sixes in a rapid opening stand.
He was well supported by Robinson Obuya, who contributed a fluent 39 from 28 deliveries as the pair raced to a strong foundation of 92 for the first wicket in just 7.3 overs.
After Mutagana’s dismissal, Obuya and Gerald Olipa kept the momentum rolling, adding valuable runs through the middle overs before Obuya fell at 129/2 in the 11.1 over.
What followed was the defining phase of the innings.
Gerald Olipa took complete control, unleashing a magnificent unbeaten assault of 82 off 44 balls, decorated with seven fours and six towering sixes.
Partnering with Calvin Watuwa, who chipped in with a brisk 33 off 22 balls*, the duo powered the Rafters to a formidable 221/3, with the final wicket falling on the last ball of the innings.
Facing a steep target of 222, the Itanda Kayakers never truly settled in their chase.
Early breakthroughs from the Rafters’ bowling unit saw wickets tumble in quick succession, reducing the Kayakers to 20/2 inside three overs and 32/3 by the 4.4 over.
Despite brief resistance from Anas Baig and later captain Christopher Kidega, the required rate and consistent strikes proved too much.
Kidega provided the lone spark with an aggressive 47 off 24 balls, including four fours and four sixes, but he lacked support at the other end.
His dismissal at 97/6 in the 11.3 over effectively ended any hopes of a recovery. The rest of the lineup folded swiftly as the Kayakers were bowled out for 108 in 14 overs.
The bowling honors were shared, with Joseph Baguma delivering a clinical spell of 4 wickets for 19 runs, well backed by Yunus Sowobi, who claimed 3 for 21.
Tight lines, disciplined lengths, and sharp work in the field ensured there was no way back for the Kayakers.
With a dominant 113-run victory, the Bujjagali Rafters collected 2 valuable points and set the perfect tone for the double-header day.
Player of the Match: Olipa Gerald
Bujjagali Rafters vs Karuma Rapids – Afternoon Game
Toss: Bujjagali Rafters won the toss and elected to bat
Bujjagali Rafters: 83 all out in 19 overs
Karuma Rapids: 87/3 in 10.4 overs
Result: Karuma Rapids won by 7 wickets
The afternoon encounter of the day-one double header saw a complete turnaround in fortunes, as Karuma Rapids delivered a dominant performance to overpower the Bujjagali Rafters.
Opting to bat first, the Rafters endured a difficult outing with the bat as wickets fell consistently from the outset.
Fahad Mutagana was removed early, and despite brief resistance from Robinson Obuya and Gerald Olipa, the Rafters found themselves reeling at 23/3 inside four overs.
The middle order struggled to build any meaningful partnerships, with regular breakthroughs keeping the scoring rate in check.
Small contributions from Simon Oketcho (15 off 29) and Sowobi Yunus (13 off 26) helped the Rafters limp past 80, but disciplined bowling ensured there was no recovery.
The innings eventually folded for 83 in 19 overs, never allowing momentum to swing their way.
Karuma Rapids’ bowling attack was clinical and relentless.
Henry Ssenyondo led the charge with an excellent spell, claiming 3 wickets for 21 runs, while Kenneth Waiswa and Ochan Felix provided crucial support to keep the Rafters under constant pressure.
Chasing a modest target of 84, Karuma Rapids started briskly but lost a couple of early wickets, slipping to 15/2 in under two overs.
However, any hopes of a dramatic collapse were quickly shut down. Charles Musemeza anchored the chase with a calm and composed 33 off 29 balls*, finding able support in Cyrus Kakuru, who struck an assured 26 off 19 deliveries*.
The pair steadied the innings and built an unbeaten partnership that guided the Rapids home comfortably.
Karuma Rapids reached 87/3 in just 10.4 overs, sealing a convincing seven-wicket victory with plenty of time to spare.
The afternoon belonged to Henry Ssenyondo, whose decisive bowling performance set up the win and earned him the Player of the Match award, as Karuma Rapids claimed 2 valuable points to cap off a strong showing in the double-header day.
Player of the Match: Henry Ssenyondo
In tomorrow’s fixtures, Itanda Kayakerz will face a double header, taking on Karuma Rapids in the morning and Bujagali Rafters in the afternoon, as they aim to bounce back