By 
Result
Olila High School 62/9 in 20 overs
Light Secondary School 63/5 in 18.2 Overs
Light Secondary School won by 5 Wickets
In a dramatic upset, Light SS secured victory over Olila, ending Olila’s nine-year reign as champions of the Eastern Region Girls’ Qualifiers.
This victory marks the first time in nearly a decade, since 2015, that Light SS has claimed the title, doing so with an undefeated record of 10 points in 5 games.
Coached by former under-19 player Achawo Sandra, Light SS launched their campaign with a commanding 79-run victory over St. Mary’s Girls School Madera, followed by another win against Agora Secondary School.
Their dominance persisted as they triumphed over Kamuda Parents School by 10 wickets, with their largest margin of victory being a remarkable 128 runs against Soroti Secondary School.
In the pivotal final match of the round-robin qualifiers, Light SS faced off against perennial champions Olila High at City Oval, where they clinched the top spot with a decisive 5-wicket victory to capture the trophy.
During the match, Olila High School won the toss and chose to bat first.
However, the formidable bowling prowess of Light SS restricted Olila to a mere 62/9 in 20 overs. Under-19 players Jimia Mohammad (12), Akurut Asumin (26), and Nandera Immaculate (14) contributed double-digit scores to Olila’s total.
Light SS captain Apolot Patricia led the challenging bowling attack, claiming 3 wickets for a mere 6 runs in 4 overs, supported by Christine Aguti with two wickets and one each from Timong Patricia and Tino Sarah.
In their chase, Akidi Suzan’s 18 off 28, Iroo Judith’s 16, and Clare Ajego’s 11 off 13 propelled Light SS to reach the required target, securing victory in the 19th over and culminating their campaign as unbeaten champions of the Eastern Region.
Reflecting on the win, Anayo Christine, a former player and student at Light SS who now assists in coaching at the Soroti Cricket Academy, emphasized that Light’s success came at a crucial time, showcasing the vulnerability of Olila High in the absence of Malisa Ariokot and Lorna Anyait, who are part of the senior women’s team.
Anayo Christine (L) With Sandra Achawo (R) while in Kigali in Rwanda, in January this year
She noted that while many doubted the possibility of defeating Olila, Light SS maintained belief in their capability.
Light SS captain Apolot Patricia expressed determination during a press release on 17th February, where it was announced that Soroti Cricket Academy would host the Girls Schools Cricket Week for the second consecutive year.
Last year, Olila High emerged victorious over Light S S in the finals of the Girls Schools Cricket Week
However, this year, the captain of Light SS, Apolot Patricia, is determined to lead her team to victory and believes it's their time to clinch the championship#BuildingDreams pic.twitter.com/gPImj9ILg2— Soroti Cricket Academy (@SorotiAcademy) February 17, 2024
Patricia stated that this is the year for Light SS to shine, setting their sights on winning the Girls Schools Cricket Week trophy—a title held by Olila for three consecutive years, most recently with a victory over Light SS in the finals last year.
The upcoming Girls Schools Cricket Week, scheduled from 4th to 11th May and hosted by Soroti Cricket Academy, promises an expanded tournament featuring live-streamed matches, underscoring a joyous celebration of talent, teamwork, and the sport’s growing influence beyond traditional cricket strongholds.
