Although they lost their final game to last year’s champions Pomposo Royals, Royal Batters lifted the coveted Ashanti Region Senior Women’s T20 League trophy on Sunday, March 13, after amassing 8 points and +1.55 NRR.
Royal Batters had put in a splendid performance throughout the 3-week league, winning 4 out of their 6 matches. The runners up in last year’s league exhibited consistency, and maintaining a good Run Rate throughout the league.
A double over Tutuka Queens and a win each against Pomposo and White Hawks was enough for the Blues to be crowned Champions this year. The final two games saw them triumph over Tutuka Queen by 7 wickets after a 75/7 in 20 overs and 77/3 in 13 overs results on Saturday, March 12.
They however fell by 37 runs to Pomposo on Sunday, as the Violets limited them to 57/10 in 12.3 overs after an initial score of 94/6 in 20 overs in the first innings.
Captain of the Royal Batters, Cynthia Ankobea Konadu, who had expressed optimism about lifting this year’s trophy to TalksenseSports, was full of joy.
“Last year, we fell short of winning it due to Net Run Rate and Pomposo won it and this year, we put in more effort and worked together as a team. I am super happy about the victory. We lost today, not because we knew we’d won the league already but that is cricket; It is full of surprises. Pomposo also worked hard and so they deserve the win.”
Apart from the trophy, Royal Batters were presented with Gold Medals. It is surprising to note, that Pomposo won last year’s league after losing to Royal Batters and this year, it is the opposite.
Tutuka Queens emerged runners up with 6 points and an NRR advantage of -0.2, after a win against White Hawks on Sunday. The Pinks scored 70/10 in 18.2 overs and worked hard to limit the Yellows to 62/10 in 14.3 overs to win by 8 runs. Tutuka (2nd runner up in last year’s league) were decorated with Silver Medals.
Unfortunately, a comeback spirit from last year’s winners, Pomposo Royals could not get them closer to the trophy as they finished 3rd with 6 points and -0.6 NRR. After losing 3 straight matches, Pomposo won their last 3 matches which included a 3 wickets victory over White Hawks on Saturday after a 115/6 in 20 overs and 116/7 in 17.1 overs result.
Although captain Ellen Otu of White Hawks promised not to fall bottom again, they visited the same place with same points (4).
National Head Coach for women Cricket, Obed Harvey was full of delight having supervised and selected players for the upcoming Women’s T20 International Tourney.
“It has been hugely competitive this year as compared to last year’s. All teams had wins to set the tone for the league. It has been a memorable league and I must commend Royal Batters for their performance. Yes, we are prepared for the T20i in Lagos and I don’t want to make promises but we’re still preparing.”
The Ghana Cricket Association, sponsors of the league, is ensuring the rapid growth of women cricket in Ghana and also seeking support from corporate bodies to enhance performances through consistent development activities.
The Senior Women National team is expected to be in Lagos on Saturday, March 26 for the Nigeria Cricket Federation’s Women’s T20 International Tournament, which runs till Sunday, April 3, 2022.
