Rwenzori Warriors made heavy weather of chasing down Cricket Tours Africa Nairobi Buffaloes total of 101 when they beat them on a cool afternoon at Nairobi Gymkhana grounds.
The home claimed the toss on a cloudy afternoon and opted to bat first, however the Warriors never let them get the start they would have wished for. Warrior’s pace-man Charles Waiswa stormed from the city end with two quick strikes up the order to remove both openers and leave the hosts realing at 8 for 2 in just three overs.
Brian Masaba then tempted the returning Ragheb Aga with a slower delivery which he chopped to short leg for nought and Jonathan Sebanja then floated a delivery that Rajesh Varsani could only find a leading edge and Abraham Alema held comfortably.
All this happened while skipper Collins Obuya, stroked a near run-a-ball 47, but he lacked support from his colleagues and his departure at 81 runs left the Buffaloes faltering, they eventually ended up on 101 for 7 off their allotted overs.
Narendra Kerai trapped Abu Seguya off the opening over with just a run on the board, but there was no further joy for the Kenyans as Roger Mukasa and Arnold Otwani steadied the ship to reach 75 before the former was cleaned up by Pritesh Rabadia for 48. Rabadia’s deadly spell triggered a mini-collapse as the Warriors wobbled to their total losing a further 4 wickets for 28 runs. Rabadia’s spell that included a hat-trick saw Mukasa, followed by Brian Masaba and Jeremy Kibukamusoke both for nought to complete his wicket haul. His efforts however came a little too late.
In Nakuru, Rift Valley Rhinos gave themselves a chance at the finals with four vital points ahead of next weekend’s final fixtures and left Coast Pekee chasing that elusive win. Nadeem Ahmed’s four-wicket haul and Peter Kituku’s 7-star keeping performance was not enough for Coast Pekee who went down by 39 runs.
In a match reduced to 17 overs a side due to overnight rains, the Rhinos failed to consolidate any partnerships on a difficult track and ended up on 95 all out from 16.4 overs, David Obuya top scored with 41 runs.
Peter Ongondo and Joseph Angara then accounted for six of the seven wickets to fall as they restricted the Mombasa based franchise to 56 from 17 overs, the two bowlers conceding just 20 runs from 7 overs between them.
At Nairobi Club, Kongonis beat Nile Knights by 6 wickets thanks to Kennedy Obuya’s 63 not out. His knock came from 47 balls and included 6 fours and two sixes. Earlier on the Knights had posted 126 from their 20 overs, Arthur Kyobe contributed handsomely with the bat for his 43 ball 42.
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