Light SS emerged victorious in a thrilling final at the 2024 Girls Schools Cricket Week, defeating their rivals Olila High School by a narrow margin of 3 runs.
This win marks Light SS’s first-ever title in the tournament, while Olila High School’s four-year reign as champions comes to an end. The week-long tournament featured 16 schools from six regions in Uganda.
Light SS arm wrestled Jinja SS to win by just one wicket while their rivals in the finals Olila High School made light work of new comers Sacred Heart SS winning their semifinal by 9 wickets.
The final was a repeat of the 2023 final with Olila High School chasing a fifth title while Light SS was looking for their first as the home sides dividing the city.
Light SS a side that prided itself on defending any set total while their rivals Olila High School were more all round in their performances with both bat and ball.
What happened?
Olila High School won the toss and elected to bowl first, and Light SS laboured to get 76/9 in their 20 overs thanks to 29 extras gifted to them.
In the run chase Victoria Pearls youngster Lorna Anyait (38) was the lone ranger as the slow bowling options of Light SS were busy at work.
In the end the defending champions ran out of resources with three runs still required for victory. Light SS clinching their maiden title against fierce rivals Olila High School and proving that the victory in the regional qualifiers was not just a fluke.
The teams were put in two groups with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the semifinals. The tournament was hosted by the Soroti Cricket Academy.
Group A: Olila High School, Jinja SS, Masaka SS, St John’s SS Mukono, Iganga SS, Masindi SS, St James SS, Good Heart SS.
Group B: Light SS, St Mary’s SS Madera, Kasese SS, Mukono Kings, Sacred Heart SS, Ndejje SSS, Gayaza High School, Kilembe SS
List Of Individual Winners:
- Lorna Anyait – Player of the Series (Olila High School)
- Mwbali Naume – Best Batter (Masaka SS)
- Jimia Mohammad – Best Wicketkeeper (Olila High School)
- Achan Zita – Best Bowler (St Mary’s Madera)
- Christine Aguti – Best Fielder (Light SS)
A squad of 25 players was selected for the U-19 girl’s training camp that will be used to select the squad that will represent Uganda at the U-19 girls World Cup Qualifiers in Rwanda.
Olila High School – Jimia Mohammad, Asumin Akurut, Lorna Anyait, Malisa Ariokot, Immaculate Nandera
Jinja SS – Asha Mukite, Hope Mbeiza, Rashida Tikabula, Erex Eronda, Leila Nalukenge
Masaka SS – Penina Natabo, Birungi Mukite, Agnes Nakakande, Hasifa Naula, Humairah Nakimbugwe
Lights SS – Patricia Timong, Patricia Apolot, Ariago Michelle
St John’s SS – Irene Mutonyi, Shadia Nabulime
Sacred Hearts – Beatrice Ayiko
Kilembe SS – Jolly Ithungu
Iganga SS – Ruth Mwanga, and Annet Anume alongside Naume Amongin
Courtesy Photos
