Friday, May 12
First Semifinals
Olila 158/2
Jinja SS 62/10
•Olila win by 96 runs
Second semifinal
Light SS 79/6
Masaka SS 53/9
•Light SS win by 26 runs
Defending Champions Olila High School, and Light SS beat Jinja SS and Masaka SS respectively to set up an all Soroti final at the National Girls Schools Cricket Week.
Masaka won the toss in the first semi-final, and surprisingly opted to bowl. Before the toss, the agreement as a team was that if they won the toss, they would bat first, but to their dismay, their captain Proscovia Alako sent them to field.
They were able to pick 6 wickets, but conceded 79 runs in the process which proved hard to outscore after their chase getting off to a terrible start.
Alako who has been the run getter and star of the team was bowled out in the second over after facing just five balls and getting three runs. From that moment, Light cruised, picking wicket after wicket, and Yusuf Nanga’s girls were unable to recover, as they lost by 26 runs.
Patricia Timong who scored the most runs (17) for light had three wickets to her name while Winnie Itwaro had two, but the person who picked the very important wicket (Alako) was Patricia Apolot.
In the second semifinal, a repeat of last year’s final saw Olila beat record holders Jinja SS by 96 runs. Not a Jinja SS batter scored in double figures as they were bowled out.
Sarah Atim was responsible for majority of the wickets. She got four. Malisa Ariokot had 2.
In Olila’s innings, Jimia Muhammad scored a half century of 55 not out off 54 balls while Lorna Anyait and Esther Iloku got 34 and 43 respectively. Ariokot notched 10 not out as Olila set 158/2.
Olila will now face Light SS in the final looking to retain the title they have won two times in a succession. Light SS will be out to seek revenge having lost to their rivals in the group stages.
Upon both teams qualifying for the final, Felix Musana, the chairman of the Soroti Cricket Academy was left thrilled.
“I am thrilled to see Soroti schools reach the finals,” he said. “These young ladies have shown incredible talent and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. I wish them the very best of luck in the finals and hope they continue to inspire more girls to take up cricket.”
