Another year! Another trophy in the bag. 2015 did come just like the past two years for Tornado B.
The William Kibuukamusoke-founded club ensured the green and orange ribbons were maintained as Tornado B clinched their third successive National Men’s Division One 50-Over League title this year.
However, that triumph was something that appeared far-fetched during the infant stages of the season in April.
Epic Tornado B
Unlike before where they would usually pile opening nine-match winning streaks or so, the script was a bit peculiar this time. Skipper Jeremy Kibuukamusoke and company lost two of their first five matches.
Three and four-wicket respective losses to Tornado and Kampala Institute of Cricket Clubs (KICC) brewed heavy confidence in the chasing pack that included Nile CC and Kutchi Tigers.
The sudden change of things came when batting lynch-pin Roger Mukasa found sheer concentration and utmost efficiency with his striking and shot selection.
Such saw Mukasa pile four centuries and a total 797 runs in 13 innings that helped Tornado B win seven more matches.
The feat meant the Jackson Ogwang-tutored side became only the third team after Tornado (2003-05 & 2008-10) and Kampala Institute of Cricket Clubs (KICC) to win three league titles in a row. The latter won from 1996-98.
Unforgettable Nile
Beyond that, one cannot leap their eyes over the immense pressure Tornado B had had to wade off from Nile.
The 1995 League winners took a much respectable second place on 55 points, falling seven points short of glory.
And if tears are anything to go by, Nile’s captain David Musoke and fellow senior players had prior lost the Sixes Challenge and National Twenty20 League finals to Sudhir Ruparelia’s KICC and Patidar Samaj CC. Property mogul Ruparelia would have expected more from the newly formed KICC’s ladies outfit.
Sleek Pioneer
But in their maiden season, the Gertrude Chandiru-led team squandered a nine-match winning run to lose the National Women’s 40-Over League title.
The trophy too slipped out of another baby club Tornado B’s to end up in fellow Pioneer’s hands.
For a club almost disintegrated at the start due to inadequacies by Nigerian businessman Abraham Ashamu, Pioneer was in the shadow of KICC and Tornado B.
In the end, Barbara Mukankusi, Franklyn Najjumba and Carol Namugenyi helped Pioneer beat the latter by 11 runs at King’s College Budo ground for their maiden title on October 29. Crestfallen Tornado B ladies had earlier won the Sixes Challenge and missing the Mehta Premier League would not bother much their efforts to tidy their trophy cabinet.
Jinja retain Mehta T20s
KICC too missed the Mehta T20s’, leaving holders Jinja SS and Pioneer with a much clearer show at more silverware. Jinja SS defended their trophy in style by outwitting League champions Pioneer by seven runs in the Super Over decider on December 6. No better way to seal the local cricket season and hopefully, 2016 can close the gap between the weak and strong then throw up some more thrilling moments as well.
2015 winners
MEN
NATIONAL DIV ONE 50-OVER LEAGUE:
Tornado B
PROMOTED SIDES:
Wanderers, Patidar Samaj
SIXES CHALLENGES: KICC
NATIONAL TWENTY20: Patidar Samaj
WOMEN
NATIONAL 40-OVER LEAGUE:
Pioneer
SIXES CHALLENGES:
KICC
NATIONAL TWENTY20:
Jinja SS
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