Jinja SS claims maiden league title
Nov 27, 2017
The pressure was inevitable but then Jinja SS managed to fight to a vital three wickets victory against Tornado Bee on Saturday
Jinja SS posing with the Mehta T20 Cup. They also secured their first 50 overs League on Saturday
Jazz Safari National Women's League
Results
Pioneer 115/7 KICC 114/10
(Pioneer win by three wickets)
Tornado Bee 107/0 Jinja SS 108/4
(Jinja SS win by six Wickets)
Olila 153/8 Wanderers 25/10
(Olila win by 128 runs)
The pressure was inevitable but then Jinja SS managed to fight to a vital three wickets victory against Tornado Bee on Saturday at Kyambogo to claim their maiden 50 overs league.
It was indeed a fight to the death for Habibu Mugalula's girls who were only separated by one point (19) from Olila (18) coming into the final fixtures of the season.
Safe to say, they are now all- round achievers with success elsewhere in the Mehta T20 Cup, Sixes Challenge Tournament and the UCA Girls Schools Cricket Week.
Jinja SS' opening bowler Sarah Walaza has had a form of her life this season and again she was key in their historic win claiming three wickets.
Her teammate and 2016 USPA Cricketer of the year Stephanie Nampiina contributed in equal measure with three wickets in 10 overs to restrict 2016 Champions Tornado Bee to 107.
National team captain Kevin Awino was at her electric best with a woman of the match performance on yet another disappointing day for Patricia Munguryek and Co. who were relegated to the second tier.
Awino scored an undefeated 41 from 64 balls to undermine Sherry Kutaaka's 36 from 36 balls earlier in Tornado Bee's innings.
Debutants Olila will be remembered for a spirited fight. They have surely disrupted the establishment in the top flight, winning the T20 Cup and then finishing second in the 50 overs league.
Mildred Anyigo bowled five overs and took six wickets as Wanderers crushed out on 25, failing to reach 154, a target that never looked easier against Olila, a side that is synonymous with bowling out opponents.
Meanwhile Pioneer capped off their campaign with another victory over KICC. Pricco Nakitende has grown into an important all-rounder, a role she once feared to identify with. She scored 39 from 98 balls with the scoreboard moving to 115 and would later claim 1 wicket as KICC were all out for 114.
The Jazz Safari National Women's League in the end has offered few games than anticipated after the return fixtures were suspended. The second tier saw a shift to 30 overs but what remains more novel is that we have seen a new champion!