Jinja SS crowned SkyView Boys Schools Cricket week champions
David GOMBE
Jinja Secondary School completed a memorable SkyView Boys Schools Cricket Week campaign by defeating Shree Sahajanand Uganda by eight wickets in a dominant final at the Nyakasura School ground on Saturday.
The victory secured Jinja SS their sixth Schools Cricket Week title, bringing an unbeaten Shree Sahajanand Uganda campaign to a dramatic end.
FINAL – Shree Sahajanand Uganda vs Jinja SS
Shree Sahajanand Uganda 130/10 | Jinja SS 131/2
Jinja SS won by 8 wickets
Report
Shree Sahajanand Uganda won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to repeat the approach that had served them well in their semifinal victory over defending champions Busoga College Mwiri.
With the Nyakasura outfield offering plenty of value for shots, Shree appeared to have their sights set on a total in the region of 170.
However, Jinja SS produced a disciplined bowling and fielding performance to prevent Shree from building the innings they needed.
Jinja followed their game plan closely, relying exclusively on their pace bowlers against a Shree side that had shown vulnerability against seam bowling on a lively surface.
Shree captain Het Pindoria led the resistance with 33, while Uganda Under-19 star Devansh Patel added 39. The pair shared a second-wicket partnership of 64 from 50 balls, giving Shree a solid platform.
However, they struggled to accelerate and lost wickets at crucial moments as Jinja tightened their grip.
Juma Ssenyondo was the standout bowler for Jinja, claiming 3/18 from his four overs. Enock Muwanguzi added a wicket, while Jinja’s sharp fielding proved equally decisive. The champions produced five run-outs, turning pressure into wickets and restricting Shree to 130 all out in their 20 overs.
Jinja’s response was aggressive from the outset. Hariom Dudharejiaya anchored the chase with an unbeaten 50, while Michu Faizo contributed 22 before being run out.
Ssenyondo Juma then produced the decisive acceleration, smashing a rapid 48 to keep the chase firmly in Jinja’s control.
Despite losing two wickets through run-outs, Jinja never allowed Shree to recover. The target was reached in just 15.2 overs as Jinja finished on 131/2.
The result ended Shree Sahajanand Uganda’s remarkable unbeaten run. They had gone through the tournament without defeat and entered the final as the only unbeaten side, but Jinja produced their best performance when it mattered most.
For Jinja SS, despite opening the tournament with a loss to Soroti SS, they recovered to deliver their sixth championship.
Earlier on, hosts Nyakasura School signed off their home tournament in style, defeating Gulu High School by six wickets in the placement final.
Individual Awards
– MVP:Trevor Azikiriza (580 points) – Busoga College Mwiri
– Best Batter: Marvin Ouma (270 Runs) – Gulu High School
– Best Bowler: Derrick Matte (16 Wickets) – Jinja Senior Secondary School
– Best Wicketkeeper: Areeb Faiz (11 Dismissals) – Shree Sahajanand Uganda