Batball MAXX returned to the Lakeside Oval on Monday with another busy day of cricket, bigger scores and a clear message, this tournament can change direction in just a few overs.
- Gladiators 148/6 in 20 Overs (Olipa Gerald 58, Brian Asaba 24; Ali Balidawa 2/23)
- Royals 125/10 in 19.1 Overs (Calvin Watuwa 34, Jonathan Nyiiro 34; Dan Keith Amani 2/18, Edwin Nuwagaba 2/25, Musa Majid Ramathan 2/27)
Gladiators won by 23 runs
Playing their first game, Gladiators looked far from rusty as they defeated Royals by 23 runs in the morning match.
After being sent in, they built steadily around a composed 58 from Gerald Olipa, who mixed patience with power and cleared the rope four times.
Despite losing early wickets, contributions from Brian Asaba (24) and Dan Keith Amani (19) kept the innings moving and carried them to a strong 148 for six, more than enough on a sluggish morning pitch.
Royals started brightly through Perry Wazombe’s quick 18, but once he fell, the innings quickly lost shape.
Amani impressed with two wickets, while Musa Majid Ramathan and Edwin Nuwagaba also grabbed two each as Royals slipped from 31 for 3 to 97 for 9.
Jonathan Nyiiro fought back with 34 off 19, but with little support, Royals were dismissed for 125 in the final over.
- Blasters 170/8 in 20 Overs (Simon Ssesazi 90, Charles Musemeza 35; Kassim Adam 3/15, Yunus Sowobi 2/20)
- Strikers 84/10 in 15 Overs (Yunus Sowobi 27, Robert Ajuna 17; Mathew Musinguzi 5/7)
Blasters won by 86 runs
The afternoon belonged to Blasters, who bounced back in style after their opening-day stumble, smashing Strikers by 86 runs.
Simon Ssesazi was on another level, hammering 90 from 57 balls with nine fours and four sixes in a classy exhibition of clean hitting.
He shared an important stand with Charles Musemeza (35), and although wickets fell late, the Blasters still posted an imposing 170 for eight.
Strikers, on the other hand, never settled. Six wickets were gone inside 10 overs, including an unusual obstructing the field dismissal for Timothy Kawanguzi. Only Yunus Sowobi’s 25 slowed the collapse.
Musinguzi Mathew then produced the spell of the tournament, five wickets for just seven runs in four overs, completely tearing through the order. Strikers were bundled out for 84, a far cry from the confidence they carried on Sunday.
Action resumes on Tuesday, 9 December, with Warriors looking to bounce back against Royals at 10:00am before Titans face a spirited Gladiators side at 2:00pm.
