Basketball in Africa

KAMPALA. Even before they complete their second round of games, Kutchi Tigers are already a satisfied side in the National Men’s Division One 50-Over League.
“We are sure of topflight cricket next year,” Tigers skipper Alphesh Hirani confidently told Sunday Monitor. Tigers have amassed four wins from six outings with help from a quartet of By darren allan kyeyune
dkyeyune@ug.nationmedia.com
KAMPALA. Out of eight teams, only two stand a chance of winning the National Women’s 40-Over League title.
All that Kampala Institute of Cricket Clubs (KICC) and Tornado B need to do is win their remaining games and the holy grail will be theirs. Having defeated holders Wanderers by 105 runs last weekend, KICC inched closer and will be champions if they win their remaining three ties. “Our chances of lifting the title get brighter by the day,” KICC skipper Gertrude Chandiru said. Chandiru made an unbeaten half-ton of 60* runs off 99 deliveries and together with Consy Aweko (60 off 79) shared a 128-run stand that rescued a 28-4 slump to eventually set 177. Bowlers Naomi Kayondo (3/10) and Veronica Nakadama (2/9) also deterred coach Sam Walusimbi’s charges.
KICC are now second with 60 points from 11 matches while leaders Tornado B (62) have played one more.
KICC played their 12th match against Ndejje-Premier last evening. That means KICC could be at the summit on 66 points when they face Tornado B in a title-decider at Lugogo Oval on October 17. “There may be a bit of pressure but if we beat Tornado B, we will have one hand on the trophy,” added Chandiru. If KICC win all their remaining games against Jinja SS and KICC, they will finish on a maximum 78 points.
But Tornado B can too mathematically clinch the title by a point if they beat KICC and Pioneer to get a projected total of 74 points. If they lose to Tornado, KICC will finish on a maximum 72.
“The story would have been different if the fixture against Charity was not washed out in Budo,” said Tornado coach Jackson Ogwang. The washout on September 26 meant that Tornado shared the points with Charity.

dkyeyune@ug.nationmedia.com