- Rounders CC 189/10 in 48.5 Overs (Brian Mark Masaba 33 | (3/10), Steven Wabwose 28)
- Tornado Beees 86/10 in 31.2 Overs (Simon Ssesazi 38, Roger Mukasa 4/50)
- Rounders CC won by 103 runs
In a rain-soaked weekend across Uganda’s Men’s National 50 Over League, Rounders Cricket Club made the most of a rare dry day and they made it count.
While relegation rivals sat idle, Rounders capitalized on the sunshine with a decisive 103-run win over Tornado Bees at home, snapping a three-game skid and breathing life into their survival hopes. At the center of it all was birthday boy Brian Masaba.
Back from national duty in Kigali, Masaba delivered a captain’s performance. He steadied the innings with 33 runs, guiding Rounders to 189 in 48.5 overs, a total built on a gritty team effort that saw eight batters reach double figures. Steven Wabwose chipped in with 28 off 47. But it was with the ball and in the field that Masaba turned the match.
Tornado Bees made a solid start, reaching 52 without loss. Debutant Simon Ssesazi, whose surprise inclusion sparked rumors of a move to Rounders, scored 38 off 58. Gerald Olipa added 20, but once he was run out by a sharp combination from Masaba and Oscar Manishimwe, the collapse was brutal.
The Bees lost 10 wickets for just 34 runs, bundled out for 86 in 31.2 overs. Four batters fell for ducks. Masaba finished with 3 for 10 in seven tight overs, matched by skipper Narinda Singh’s identical figures. Zubair Tembo picked up one, joining the league’s leading wicket-takers with 22.
Despite strong spells from Bees bowlers Roger Mukasa (4/50) and Akbar Baig (3/34), Rounders were always in control.
Masaba was named Player of the Match, his performance a fitting birthday celebration and a timely boost for a team fighting the drop.
Around the League
At Serenity Oval, Aboojo and Wanderers played out a rare tie. Aboojo’s 123, powered by Baguma’s 37, seemed short, but late strikes from Mathew Musinguzi (4/26) and Baguma (3/21) sealed the stalemate just as Wanderers edged toward victory.
At Lugogo, Hiren Kerai’s unbeaten 99 lifted Kutchi Tigers to 197/3, but their clash with Avengers was washed out midway. The points were shared.
Rain also wiped out play at Jinja SS, where Ceylon Lions and JACC never took the field.
In Division Two, Soroti City hammered Entale by 271 runs, posting 336 before skittling them for 65. Bakunzi Derrick starred with 5/18 on Saturday at the Lugogo Cricket Oval.
Elsewhere, SKLPS were awarded the win at GM Sugar Oval after Premier CC couldn’t field a full team post-delay. Mukono Warriors vs Tornado was abandoned due to a wet outfield.
