Stingers lift Unitech U17 cricket crown

SKIPPER Samuel Lui made a top score of 23 to steer Sogeri Stingers to a 3-97 victory over the Bugandi Snipers (8-61) in the Unitech U17 junior cricket grand final at the weekend.
But it was a disastrous start for Stingers after losing two early wickets to star batsman Doko Rupa (0) and his opening partner Ori Lanta (5) to Roy Niti and Francis Larry.
With the score at 25, Lui came to the fore and steadied the ship bailing the Stingers out with a score of 23 not out while his teammate Rodney Igo contributed 14 not out for a total of 97.
Wayward bowling from the Snipers also contributed to the Stingers score, with 34 wides pushing them to the 100 mark.   
The best bowlers for Snipers were Samuel Timiya (1/8), Roy Niti (1/11) and Francis Larry (1/14).
Timiya was the only batsman to reach double figures and showed some resistance for the Snipers, making (14) after they lost three early wickets to Niti (1), Benson Michael (1), Pawa Niti (0).
But with pressure mounting, it was a huge task for captain Jonathan Kepa who could only contribute three runs before falling to Snipers’ bowlers.
In the end, it was the Stingers’ bowlers who stood out dismissing Snipers for 8-61 after 15 overs.
Rupa (2/4), Kelly (2/6) and Lanta (2/19) led the attack for the Stingers with support from Igo (1/5) also bowling well to stop the Snipers.
In the U11 boys division, OB Pumas will meet minor premiers Kilakila rebels in the grand final after the Pumas (3/23) defeated BHK Bulls (10/20).
In the other final, East Taraka Talapias will take on minor premiers Bugandi Snipers in the U11 girls grand final after the Talapias (2/20) disposed of Kilakila Rebels (8/18) in the preliminary final.
All U11 games will be played on Sunday.