Tigers tighten grip on UCA Premiership

UCA Men’s National League

Results

Ceylon 251 Wanderers 185/8

(Ceylon win by 66 runs)

Avengers 153/10 Bees 154/5

(Bees win by five wickets)

Kutchi 193/10 JACC 173/10

(Kutchi win by 20 runs)

Championship

Ismaili 188/10 Tornado 105/10

(Ismaili win by 83 runs)

Premier 174/10 Mukono Dev’t 175/2

(Mukono win by eight wickets)

It was billed as Kutchi Tigers' first real test of the season.

They passed it to strengthen their lead atop the UCA Men’s National Premiership.

Nitin Jeshani continued his sparkling form with a match-best 84 runs off 77 as the Tigers held off JACC by 20 runs in Jinja to move two points clear of second-placed Ceylon Lions, who defeated the Wanderers by 66 runs in their outing.

Mitul Pindoriya scored 41 runs, and Nandikishor Patel added 13 as Kutchi raced to 193/10 in 45.4 overs. Ivan Baidhu (3/12 in 6.0 overs), Emmanuel Mukisa (2/25 in 6 overs), and Richard Sohera (2/36 in 10 overs) had led JACC's charge of keeping the Tigers within touching distance.

But would their efforts get a fitting reward?

Alpesh Hirani and Ghanshyam Ashani ensured not, combining for seven wickets as the hosts were bowled out 21 runs short of victory in 42.1 overs.

Aaron Kusasira led JACC with 69 off 67, while Patel Abhay and Timothy Muwanguzi added 24 and 17 runs respectively. Sohera (16) and Baidhu (10) also made contributions with the bat, but the league leaders would not be denied.

JACC had come into their first-ever meeting with Kutchi in second place, one point behind them. The loss pushed them to third, three points off the pace.