The Asuogyaman Boys U-19 T20 Community Cricket league wrapped up its group phase on Saturday, July 31, 2021 with a game between Tortibo Twinkle Stars and Pupuni Community Club at Akosombo Presby Park.
Tortibo won the game by 30 runs, after the overs were reduced to 10 due to the many activities on the park that day. Pupuni won toss and elected to field first and so Tortibo scored 63 runs for 3 wickets and restricted Pupuni to a score of 33 runs, all out in 9.3 overs.
Player of the Match was Julius Kwesi of Tortibo, who scored 24 runs, off 13 balls and also took 2 wickets, gave away 3 runs in 2 overs, with a maiden over. His team mate, Benjamin Oloko also took 3 wickets, gave away 3 runs in 2.3 overs.
Week 7 matches, played on July 17 in both zones, saw Frankadua Century Batters beat Anum Wicket Masters by 18 runs after 84-7 and 64-8 results accordingly in Zone 1 at Frankadua.
In Zone 2, Abuakwa Superkings lost their only match to Senchi Master Batters, who also won their first and only match in the league at the Presby Park in Akosombo. Master Batters scored 76-10 in 18.2 overs and limited Abuakwa to 69-8, thereby winning by 7 runs.
In the other game, Mangoase Hydro left it late to defeat Tortibo Twinkle Star Gents by 2 runs. Mangoase scored 52-10 in 18.1 over while Tortibo score 50-10 in 11.3 overs.
After 8 weeks of excellent display of cricket skills, Abuakwa Superkings maintained their lead with 8 points. Tortibo and Pupuni join to qualify for the Semi finals with 6 points apiece. Senchi Royal Batters and Mangoase Hydro lie 4th and 5th with 4 points each, while Senchi Master Batters lie bottom with 2 points in Zone 2.
In Zone 1, Boso Terrific Hitters with 4 points, qualified to battle any of the 3 in Zone 2 for the Semis, while Frankadua Century Batters lie 2nd with 2 points and Anum Wicket Masters, losing all 2 matches, lying bottom with no point.
Secretary of the Eastern Region Cricket Association, Fred Lartey says, they hope to finish the great league they have had so far with some revelation.
“We have had a very wonderful league. Watching the boys play like this is good news. We have seen very good bowlers and fielders and also expert wicket keepers, as well as some all-rounders. We have selected some players who we will give extra training, as we form a team out of them. Having a semifinal and then a final will be ‘an icing on the cake’. We are looking up to the Ghana Cricket Association to push us to make that happen, as we see this as a talent discovery league. Because we have seen many talents.”
A venue and date will be set for the semis as Boso Terrific Hitters, Abuakwa Superkings, Tortibo Twinkle Stars Gentlemen and Pupuni Community Cricket Club will face off to decide the finalist and then the ultimate Champions.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey
