Jinja SSS answer early setback with sixth Cricket Week title

Shree SSU 130 all in 20 Overs
Jinja SSS 131/2 in 15.2 Overs

Jinja SSS won by 8 wickets

Jinja Senior Secondary School completed a remarkable turnaround to win their sixth SkyView Boys’ Schools Cricket Week title to end Busoga College, Mwiri’s two year dominance after beating Shree Sahajanand School Uganda by eight wickets in the final in Fort Portal.

Jinja SSS after being handed their Gold medals and trophy.

Jinja SSS celebrate their sixth BSCW title.

Shree SSU, unbeaten throughout the tournament, won the toss and chose to bat but were bowled out for 130 in 20 overs.

Devansh Patel top scored with 39 off 30 balls, including three sixes, while Het Pindoriya made 33 off 34. But Jinja’s bowlers kept control, with Ssenyondo Juma taking three wickets for 18 runs.

Jinja’s fielders also played their part, producing six run outs to end Shree’s innings.

Chasing 131, Jinja needed only 15.2 overs to seal victory at 131/2. Hariom Dudareja anchored the chase with an unbeaten 50 off 43 balls, hitting six fours, while Juma finished the job in style with a blistering 48 off 28 balls, including four fours and three sixes.

Juma Ssenyondo was at the heart of the victory, producing an all-round performance of 48 runs and three wickets to earn the Player of the Match award in the final.

His contribution, alongside an unbeaten half-century from Hariom Dudareja, helped Jinja SSS chase down their target with ease and seal another Schools Cricket Week crown.

For Ssenyondo, the individual award was a proud moment, especially with his father serving as the school’s coach.

“I’m among the top orders of Jinja Senior Secondary School. I’m so excited for being the man of the match in the finals,” Ssenyondo said.

The youngster also credited his father for the support and opportunities that have helped him develop as a cricketer.

“This is the first time I pray so that I can get more chances like this. Upon that side, I congratulate my dad. He’s the coach of Jinja Senior Secondary School.”

“I congratulate him so much and the effort he has given me. That’s all.”

The victory capped a strong recovery for Jinja, who began the tournament with a six run defeat to Soroti SS in Group C.

They bounced back in the Super Eight, beating defending champions Busoga College Mwiri by four wickets after chasing 140/5 with an over to spare. Faizo Michu scored 36, Geoffrey Ogola remained unbeaten on 30 and Kenneth Isiko added 24.

Jinja then defeated Ntare School by 55 runs in the semi-final. They posted 126/7 before restricting Ntare to 71/9, with Dudareja scoring 35, Isiiko 29 and Ssenyondo 21.

Shree SSU reached the final after defeating Mwiri by 72 runs in the other semi final. They made 147/9 before bowling out the defending champions for 75, with Hemant Jesani taking five wickets.

Shree SSU celebrate after bowling out defending champions Busoga College Mwiri to reach their first ever SkyView Boys Schools Cricket Week final.

Shree Sahajanand School Uganda celebrate their silver medal in the SkyView Boys Schools Cricket Week.

But Jinja saved their best for the final. The triumph takes their Cricket Week title tally to six, adding to previous victories in 2023 and 2024 and strengthening their reputation as one of the leading forces in Ugandan schools cricket.

Sky View Boys Schools Cricket Week Awards