Premier dominates league

By Ronnie Kintu PREMIER emerged the dominant force of the season not only by winning the Baroda league but by also producing the best individual batsman, bowler and fielder. The club that finished top with 296 points from 14 innings played, registered 10 wins and only four losses twice to Tornado, Africa and Wanderers. Star batsman Nehal Bibodi who scored an un-beaten 198 runs not out against Jinja club (JACC) in the first round is in top position of the batting table with an average of 99.13 having amassed 793 runs with five recorded not outs. The pivotal player has also claimed 23 wickets, bowling 5 maidens with an economy of 4.64 and the best one-day haul (5/48) giving away only 441 runs in the 95 overs bowled. Patel Alpesh another strong man for the club is in second position in batting with a notch of 150 not out, a total score of 552 runs and a second best average of 78.86 in eleven innings played. The Kenyan star also has the highest wicket haul (25/352), 12 maidens in 113 overs and the best one-day haul of six wickets for 27 runs. The side also poses the best wicket keeper Premal Yashdik who has a total of 18 catches and nine stumpings ahead of Wanderers Joshua Mwanja. Premier started the league on a high note winning six consecutive games in the first round before the side was beaten by Tornado with a comprehensive nine wickets in what seemed the finale of the league. Premier sailed through to victory in the second round after a fabulous performance from stars like Bibodi and Patel backed by captain Pritesh among others. Wanderers a team that came from behind and nearly took the top position after a very poor start in the first round ended in second position with 290 points after conceding four losses. The side's success was confirmed after a convincing win over Africa CC at Kyambogo oval and a ten wicket victory over Premier cricket club in the final match. Excellent performance was also displayed by youthful side Africa under its new captain Simon Nsubuga a man who single-handedly enabled the side to upset Premier. ACC composed of five national players in Frank Nsubuga, Charles Lwanga, Joel Olweny and Junior Kwebiha lacked resolution and concentration for the coveted champiionship. Tornado the 1999 champions and title favourites suffered three consecutive walkovers conceded after the side had pulled out at the beginning of the second round. Tornado ended in third position with only 263 points. KICC was an average team that could have performed better if the players like Arif Karim and Shukla Mukesh were constantly on the attack. Captain B. Akbar over depended on schoolboys who always failed to turn up for some matches. Nile CC that upset giants Tornado with a comprehensive five wickets in their second last game was a side that could have performed better but hanged on only one Henry Osinde after captain Solomon Seruga quitting. Ends.