Simba Union and Peponi successfully sailed to the finals in the Under-19 and Under-13 categories at the Obuya Youth Cricket tournament that ends in Nairobi on Saturday.
Simba Union won by 116 runs against Obuya Academy to book a date in the Under-19 finals with Ninja A, which will be played at the Nairobi Gymkhana which will also host the Under-15 finals.
Ninja A defeated Oshwal by 120 runs in the second semi-final.
Likewise, Peponi beat Huruma by a run to book a date with Obuya in the Under-13 final to take place at the Simba Union grounds today.
Top scorers for Simba in the Under-19 contest were Veer Dave with 35 runs, Gurdeep Singh (52) and Gurmanjot Singh (59). Top bowlers for the winners was Rohan Bhagava, who had a wicket for 35 runs.
Top bowler for Obuya was Karan Patel with 15 runs.
Captain Rahul Seedhar was on target as Obuya demolished Samaj School to win the other Under-13 semi-finals match with 20 runs.
“It will not be an easy match but we are hopeful to retain the title. Peponi will definitely feel the metal we are made of,” said Seedhar, who had 56 runs.
Meanwhile, the East Africa Cricket Cup continues this weekend with two matches on card in Nairobi.
Two Slots
The former Kenyan franchises will be in action at Simba Union and Nairobi Jaffrey seeking for the remaining two slots in the semi-finals after the Ugandan sides Warriors and Knights booked the first two slots last weekend.
With wins over I&M Bank Nyatis and Sameer Simbas and the matches against Rising Stars and Express Ndovu being washed out, the Ugandan sides made it to the last four.
With these results, the four Kenyans sides were left to fight for the last four places tomorrow.
I&M Bank will take on Rising Stars at Simba Union while Express Ndovu will travel to Nairobi Jaffery for a battle with Sameer Simbas.
After last week’s results Warriors and Knights have six points each while Rising Stars and Express who shared points after the wash out have two points each. Sameer and I&M Bank have no point.
With four points up for grabs every team has an equal chance of making it to the semi-finals making this weekend matches a must watch.
By ERICK OCHIENG’, The Standard
