Ruaraka inch closer to title as Obuya’s century decimates Sikh Union

Ruaraka Sports Club has inched closer to the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) Super Division 50-Overs League title after an emphatic 9-wicket win over Stray Lions at the former’s Thika Road backyard.

The Thika Road side had its Match Day 11 campaign effectively sewn up courtesy of their run-hungry pros Sachin Gill (94 from 123 balls) and Pushkar Sharma (103 from 122 balls) who treated fans to some exhilarating displays at the crease.

Ruaraka won the match entirely with its top order. Their opener Chandresh Hirani scored 35 runs off 29 deliveries before being bowled out by Amin Amish.

Stray Lions’ indefatigable professional Shubham Jadhav also racked up a century to extend his run score lead to 659 runs against Sachin's 557. On the other side, the on-form Jadhav had to contend with playing second fiddle to Sachin who won the match for his team.

Ruaraka A won the toss and elected to field first. They bowled out their cease adversaries for 254 in 49 overs. In reply, Ruaraka A easily chased the modest target for the loss of 1 wicket in 45.1 overs to carry the day comprehensively.

Maxwell Swaminathan made some valuable contributions for the victors with three wickets to his credit.

"It was an important win for us as we now savor an 8-point advantage over Kanbis and Stray Lions. We are not very safe though, but the essence is to win 3 out of three 3 to end the season on a high. We fielded first because we wanted to take advantage of morning conditions. Jadhav struck a brilliant century for the Lions, but the bowlers responded well," Sachin said.

In Division One, Stray Lions B made up for their A team's undoing by handing Ruaraka B a 9-wicket blow, a similar margin to which their elite side lost.

One of Kenya’s most decorated cricketers Collins Obuya attested that age in sports is nothing but a number!

The 42-year-old cricket legend flabbergasted all and sundry when he struck one and half century (151 off 137 deliveries) to enable Obuya Academy A to vanquish Sikh Union by 4 wickets.

Collins was then bowled out by Nehemiah Odhiambo as the match wore on. Steve Odhiambo was Obuya’s second-highest scorer with 54 off 84 deliveries.

Elsewhere, skipper Dhiren Gondaria notched 75 runs as Kanbis A defeated SCLPS YL A by 139 runs.

Sachin Bhudiya and Rakep Patel scored 50 and 38 respectively for the victors.

Swamibapa A defeated Nairobi Gymkhana by 61 runs in another Super Division match played at Nairobi Jaffery’s ground.

Prashang Hirani (79), Dhwani Patel (48) and Harendra Kerai (42) were the leading scorers for the Swamis.

Ruaraka is now comfortably in the driving seat and needs two more wins from the remaining three to seal the coveted title.

Sunday’s win saw them extend their lead by 8 points from second-placed Kanbis (32 points) and third-placed Lions (32 points).

The remaining three matches in the league should serve up great moments ahead for cricket lovers given that leaders Ruaraka will not rest on their laurels.

In other Division One matches, Kanbis B defeated Cutchi Leva B by 26 runs while leaders Kenya Kongonis A beat Goan Institute by 8 wickets.

Ngara Sports Club A beat Sikh Union B by 84 runs. Kongonis currently tops the Division One log with 36 points from 11 matches whilst Ngara A has amassed 32 from 10 games they have played so far.

SUPER DIVISION POINTS AFTER MARCH DAY 11

1. RUARAKA A 40 (RR 2.260)

2. KANBIS A 32 (2.218)

3. STRAY LIONS A 32 (1.360)

4. SWAMIBAPA A 28 (0.881)

5. SCLPS YL A 16 (-1.080)

6. SIKH UNION A 16 (-1.164)

7. OBUYA CC A 8 (-2.614)

8. NRB. GYMKHANA 4 (-1.848)