- Jinja SS CC 63/9 ( Ayub Rashid 13, Kenneth Isiiko 9)
- Soroti Cricket CC 73/5 ( Ebulu Ronald 22, Wilfred Ogwang 11)
- Soroti Cricket CC won by 5 wickets
The highly anticipated 2025 UCA Men’s 50 Over National League commenced on Saturday, March 29, with Soroti Cricket Club making a strong statement in their Division Two opener by crushing Jinja SS at the Jinja SS Oval.
Batting first, Jinja SS endured a disastrous innings, crumbling for just 69 runs in 31.1 overs. Their batting lineup faltered against Soroti’s disciplined bowling attack, with only Ayub Rashid (13 off 55 balls) showing some resistance.
The rest of the batting order collapsed under pressure, with three players dismissed for single-digit scores and two others falling for ducks.
Soroti’s bowlers were relentless, led by Jacob Malinga (3/17 in 7 overs) and Juma Sururu (3/6 in 7 overs). Okiror Stephen also chipped in with two wickets while Christopher Osakan wrapped up the innings with one scalp. Extras (34) turned out to be Jinja SS’s highest contributor, underscoring their struggles at the crease.
In pursuit of a modest target of 70, Soroti City SC made light work of the run chase, reaching 73/5 in just 10.5 overs. Captain Ebulu Ronald anchored the innings with a commanding unbeaten 22 off 20 balls, supported by Wilfred Ogwang (11) and Okiror Stephen (8*).
Despite losing early wickets, including an unfortunate golden duck for wicketkeeper Ainebyona Alban, Soroti’s aggressive approach ensured a swift victory.
Jinja SS’s bowlers had little to celebrate, though Kenneth Isiiko (2/22) and Huzaifa Adam (1/11) managed to make inroads. However, their efforts weren’t enough to prevent a crushing defeat.
With this convincing win, Soroti Cricket Club has announced itself as a serious contender in Group A of Division Two. Meanwhile, Jinja SS will need to regroup quickly to bounce back in the coming fixtures.
In the other scheduled game, Mukono Development was awarded a forfeited win over Tornado CC.
This season marks a shift from last year’s hybrid format, as all Division Two teams will now compete in a full 50-over structure instead of transitioning from T20 group stages.
Additionally, games will be played on both Saturdays and Sundays, allowing for a streamlined calendar that accommodates T20 and T10 leagues later in the year.
