Although they lost their final game, Young Stumpers were crowned champions of the maiden edition of Asogli Yam Festival Boys U-12 T10 Cricket Bash, having remained on top of the table with 8 points.
The double round robin 10 overs each bash which started 6 weeks ago at the OLA SHS Park, Ho finally wrapped up last week with Champions Young Stumpers losing their second game to bottom side Vibrant Super Rangers in a thrilling encounter.
After winning toss and electing to bat first, Young Stumpers were given a tough time to open their arms and score, with great bowling and limited extras from Super Rangers, who took 6 wickets in 10 overs, as Young Stumpers scored 44 runs.
Super Rangers sacrificed a wicket in 6.1 overs to grab a vital 9 wickets victory, with 46 runs on the score sheet and a final NRR of +0.02, finishing at the bottom with 4 points. Ephraim of Super Rangers took 3 wickets, gave away 9 runs in 2 overs in the bowling figures, while team mate Godsway took 2 wickets, gave away 10 runs in 2 overs.
Green Bat Heroes found their way back to 2nd spot with 6 points and +0.01 NRR after narrowly beating Modern Pitch Experts by 5 runs. The Heroes scored 54 runs for 8 wickets in the first innings but lived their name as they restricted the Experts to 49 runs for 4 wickets. Blessing was exceptional in the bowling figures, as he took 3 wickets, gave away 9 runs in 2 overs. Joseph, also took 2 wickets, gave away 6 runs in 1 over.
Pitch Experts who had scored the highest (77 runs) in a game so far in the Series could not replicate their recent form second innings of the last game and finished 3rd with 6 points and an NRR of 0.00.
Secretary of the Volta Region Cricket Association, Victor Tetteh believes, with consistency, these young lads can make Ghana proud.
“We have had a successful Series, I should say, despite the numerous challenges; sponsorship being 1 of them. But we are grateful to all who ensured we continued to the end. We appreciate as well the Ghana Cricket Association for their support and we believe that with consistency, these boys will shine at the top level in the future.”
Best Batter for the Series went to Joshua De-Souza of Young Stumpers with a total of 29 runs in 6 matches, while Hope Yeboa of Green Bat Heroes was adjudged Best Bowler with 9 wickets taken. Yeboa also won the Most Valuable Player of the Series as he scored 20 runs and had 2 catches.
Nurturing of young talents at this level is of great importance to the growth of Cricket in Ghana as the gentleman’s game is rapidly growing in West Africa, Africa and the World at large.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey
