Thé Central Rhinos emerged as the Champions of the inaugural Batball X cricket tournament after beating Rwanda Emerging in the final on Sunday at the Lugogo Cricket Oval.
The Rhinos put on 106/4 in 10.0/10 overs to win the game by 35 runs with half a century of the tally put on board by their Captain Christopher Kidega.
Before the start of the game, Rwanda won the toss that was done by one of members of the Triplets Ghetto kids with their Captain Israel Mugisha opting to bowl first.
But into the game, the Rhinos run rampant as they were hitting balls for fun with their Captain leading the way(53 runs) and being complimented by Anas Baig (14 runs) and Owoli Obele (13 runs) to up hold a 106/4 in the first innings for Rwanda to chase.
In the second innings, Rwanda didn’t live to the expectations as they looked to be on pressure something that wasn’t of help as they managed only 71/0 in 9.3/10 overs to hand the win to the Rhinos.
Right after the game, there was an epic performance from the Triplets Ghetto Kids who performed at the first ever local sports event ever.
Before their performance Batball Limited took the initiative to teach the dance group some cricket basics an action that they endlessly enjoyed.
After the Performance, it was awarding time as the first reward went to Central Rhinos Captain Christopher Kidega who took home the Man of the match accolade that was accompanied with UGX 150,000 Shs from Fitness Junction GYM and SPA.
With lots of praises thrown towards the Rhinos, there was need to appreciate the Rwanda Emerging team that took it game by game to reach the finals, something that helped their Captain Israel Mugisha to earn himself a senior National team call up onto the on going EastAfrica T20 in Rwanda.
But Christopher Kidega alias Danger was the man of the moment as he had a day of his life being named most valuable player (MVP) with UGX 250,000 shs. after contributing 7 catches, 5 wickets hitting 14 sixes with a total of 174 runs in the tournament.
He beat off competition from Yunusu Sowobi ( I57 runs), a player who was always happy to run the traffic and be the mini Captain as Kidega rode the ropes, the other contestant being another teammate in Ali Baliddawa, a left arm orthodox spinner who collected 14 wickets to his name.
Not leaving behind, Oluka Pius who featured for the Nile Leopards and made his Cricket Cranes debut against Namibia this year scoring half a century under 3 overs before the power play.
After receiving his trophy Kidega went a head to thank all his team mates saying;
“I would like to thank my teammates, wouldn’t make it on my own, to the other participants believe in yourself everything can happen since you can bat, bowl everything is possible- “he said
Minutes later, the Central Rhinos were handed their trophy and the celebrations began, closing this year’s Batball X.
Batball X grand finale winners summary.
Finals
Central Rhinos – (won against Rwanda Emerging by 35 Runs)
3rd/4th position
Nile Leopards – (won against Eastern Buffaloes by 26 Runs)
MVP
Christopher Kidega- Central Rhinos
All the students in the Winning side (Central Rhinos team) were offered a one term bursary in their respective schools.