The long awaited Asuogyaman Boys U-19 T20 community league started with two matches in Zone 1, at the Akwamuman SHS Park on Saturday, July 22, 2023.
Organised by the Eastern Region Cricket Association and funded by the Ghana Cricket Association (GCA), Senchi Royal Batters Cricket Club, having finished a 4th with 4 points in the 2022 league, beat Pupuni Pacesetters by 5 wickets, after outscoring the latter in the first game, as they won toss.
Pupuni Pacesetters scored 94 runs, all out in 11.5 overs, as Desmond Tetteh’s two wickets for Senchi Royal Batters in the first over, dampened the morale of the pacesetters. Desmond wrapped up the first innings, having taken 6 wickets, given away 30 runs in 4 overs and was adjudged the player of the match.
Kingsley Afeletey, who came on as the 4th batter tried restoring the pride for the pacesetters with some boundaries, but could only last for 3 overs, scoring 11 runs off 7 balls.
Senchi Royal Batters scored 97 runs, for 5 wickets in 15.4 overs in the second innings to win the game. Pacesetters’ Francis Kudjo however tried to replicate the feat by Desmond but could only take 3 wickets, gave away 16 runs in 3 overs as the Royals from Senchi limited the Pace from Pupuni.
Belinda Asante is the Head Coach of Pupuni Pacesetters.
“My players were a bit timid on the field, because we have been training and waiting for the league without any match, so they relaxed for some time and that was the cause of our defeat, but we are hoping that our next match, we will beat our opponents. We are coming stronger in the next match and we hope to win the league, as we placed 3rd last year.”
Coach of Royal Batters, Edem Dotse Agbedegbator says, the capitalized on the weakness of their opponents.
“We realized they were not too good in batting and bowling, so we took the game to them and gave them pressure and that helped us. We are coming in hard this year and want to win the league.”
In the second game, brilliant bowling skills from Harry Otibo, Sylvester Teye and captain Prince Addae of Abuakwa Super Kings restricted Senchi Fire Batters for 52 runs, all out in 10.2 overs after the latter win toss and chose to bat first.
Harry Otibo took 4 wickets, gave away 16 runs in 4 overs, with two maiden wicket overs, whereas Prince Addae took 4 wickets, gave away 18 runs in 3 overs. Sylvester however took the last two wickets in the 11th over to end the innings, gave away 18 runs, in 3.2 overs.
Prosper Bambile left the crease after he was caught behind from Michael Agbordzor’s first ball in the 3rd over, but Richard Agbenyenu (24 runs, off 13) and Solomon Afubo (20 runs, off 20 balls) stood firm to achieve 54 runs, for 1 wicket in 8.3 overs for last year’s runners up and won the game by 9 Wickets.
James Awui, coach of Senchi Fire Batters attributed their loss to lack of hard ball equipment.
“The fact that we have not played for some time now might be one of the reasons we lost. Also, we are not having the equipment for training. We don’t even have one hard ball, not to talk of bats to train with. It was first day some of the players are touching hard ball and holding the wooden bat.”
Stop gap coach for Abuakwa Super Kings, Bismark Dordoe says, their last year mistakes are still being corrected.
“Basically, it is about improvement. We are working on the mistakes from the previous league and as you can see, it is work still in progress, from today’s results. We will do better when we put in more effort. We will do everything possible to win the league this year.”
The Eastern Region Cricket Association is calling on corporate bodies and benevolent individuals to come on board and complement the effort of the Ghana Cricket Association to shine these talents for national consumption and honors.
The league continues on Saturday, July 29, 2023.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey