Vice Chairman's XI win Mustafa Shield

Great to see Mombasa Jafferys so active - the Mustafa shield (20-20) has just been played between a Chairman's XI and a Vice Chairman's XI with the latter coming out on top by 25 Runs.

Batting first the Vice Chairman's XI lost opener Mohammed Fazal early Caught behind by Mazhar Kassamali off the bowling of Husein Alinda (2/23), but rallied with a strong partnership between Rizwan Karim (49) and Ashger Molu (28). Though both fell to Fazle Kassamali (1/18) and Mohammed Walji (1/12), it was enough to build a platform for Kumayl Virjee (19) and Ahmed Virjee (21*) who took their side to a total of 150 at the end of their 20 overs.

In reply the Chairman's XI came up against some stiff bowling and as a result lost wickets with too great a regularity. Sibtain Kassamali (2/21), Gulam abbas Kassam (2/26), Asgher Molu (2/5) and Hasnain Alidina (1/19) all picked up wickets as the chase ended on 125/9 after the 20 overs. Only Alisgher Abdalla (25), Husein Alidina (14) and Fazle Kassamali (25) got into double figures for the Chairman's XI.

There is a second tournament currently underway including three teams who play each other once before the top two face off in the final to decide the The Late Abdalla Mohamed Jaffer Trophy Mini Tournament. Matches were scheduled for 1st,8th, 15th and 22nd Novemnber. We will update results as they become available.

Title, Promotion or the Chop

With one game to go in the NPCA 50 Over League we take a look at which sides are in the running for titles, promotion and relegation.

Only two sides can now win the Super Division after Stray Lions A had their match vs Kanbis B called off due to the wet Peponi pitch. Stray Lions could however upset the apple cart with a big win over Swamibapa A who they play in their final match. Swamibapa are a mere 7 points away from the title, so a full compliment of bonus points would still be enough to break a long drought. Their challengers, Kanbis take on SCLYL 'A' in a match they are almost certain to win with close to maximum points. Should Swamibapa slip up, Kanbis could yet sneak home for their 6th straight title.

At the relegation end of the division, a close battle looms between Sir Ali A (58 points) and Simba Union (53 points). Given that Simba Union failed to show at home against Telca, neutrals will be hoping Sir Ali take enough from their final game (Telca) to stay up. There should be no place in the top flight for sides that cannot raise a team or be bothered to show.

Promotion from Division 1 is a 2 two horse race between Nairobi Nookers A (220 points) and Swamibapa B (211 points). Both play opposition that they should defeat in their final matches with Nookers away to Ruaraka A and Swamis hosted by Jafferys who secured their position in the league with last week’s win over Ruaraka. Sensible money would be on Nookers to do enough to move up to the Super Division in 2010.

Relegation from Division 1 is already a formality for Nairobi Gymkhana, not long ago one of the powerhouses of Kenyan cricket. Their relegation underlines a problem for the administration as they own the best ground in Kenya – one that should be used for Super Division games. Their failure to turn up for last week’s match however speaks volumes and perhaps it is no bad thing that there are a new breed of clubs rising to the surface.

One such club is Stray Lions and their B team are already assured of promotion from Division II even if they were not to play this coming weekend. Such has been their dominance of the division, at times aided by appearances by their A team players, that they hold a 31 point advantage over second placed Golden XI.

At the bottom of Div II, Qutbis will be looking for a miracle to avoid the drop as they need both a full 20 points and Simba Union B to score none and concede a penalty point. It is a remote chance and odds are that come 2010 they will be back in the dungeon.

Coming up from Division III will be Parklands – once a team to feature in the Super Division with their A team. Hopefully this season is a sign of resurgence as they mixed a blend of experience and youth to stroll to the division title. With enough support, their 2010 campaign could see enough talent and depth for them to once again feature 2 teams in the competition.

NPCA wooden spooners will be the debutants Women’s team, but they should be able to hold their heads up high as players have produced individual performances of note and the team the memorable win over Oshwal XI. Their inclusion in the league should be seen as a success and should be added to with a second Ladies side, after all with over 30 players competing for places, it hardly seems likely they would be unable to field a side. Perhaps Cricket Kenya could fund an U19 side to aid development, or make an even bolder move and split them into East and West sides. It could be the beginnings of a fantastic rivalry and the birth of a whole new league.

With 31 teams in the current competition and 16 grounds used, expansion of the competition beyond 1 more team would however be reliant on more grounds being found to accommodate the new sides. This must be something that both Cricket Kenya and the NPCA look to achieve as without growth comes stagnation. How about the promised support from the Sports Ministry…

RVCA Crown Berger 20-20 Roundup

Game 3 saw Scarecrow take on Melvin Jones in the morning game at RVSC.

Melvins won the toss and elected to bat but struggled against the new ball attack of Scarecrow with Prabdeep (?) ripping through the top order to take 4/15 off his 4 overs. Jayendra Patel (19) was the only Melvin's batsman to reach double figures as Faiz (?) 2/18 and Girish (?) 2/7 also got into the act to have Melvins all back in the pavillion after 17.3 overs with just 74 on the board.

It should always have been an easy run chase for Scarecrow and Melvins needed to bowl a tight line if they were to stay in the match. In fact the opposite happened and while wickets did fall, the extras piled up - 24 in all and Scarecrow romped to victory with 5 wickets and 8 overs to spare.

Game 4 saw P.B.H.Royal Cubs take on Rift Valley Sports Club in what proved to be an absolute thriller. Winning the toss PHB elected to bat and posted 173 thanks to 2 batsmen. Divyang Patel played an anchoring role from the middle order with an unbeaten 49, but it was the fireworks from Bilal ? (pictured) that really set the ground alight. He plundered a thundering 70 off just 16 balls dealing exclusively in boundaries and without slogging. Runs came from all areas of the ground and he played genuine cricket strokes to make them. Though he was eventually bowled by Chris Sterling, he had effectively set his team up for a good defence. For their part, the RVSC bowlers stuck to their guns with Luke Nightingale once again the pick taking 4/27. Sahil ? (2/36) and Dalveer ? (2/40) the other bowlers to pick up wickets.

RVSC's reply looked to be in good hands with Ed Bolderstone (35) and Luke Nightingale (65*) setting up the platform at the beggining of the innings and Chris Sterling (37) taking them closer to victory. Wickets then fell rapidly as they tried to get over the line with 3 run outs eventually costing them a 1 run defeat. A fantastic result from PBH and Bilal will no doubt be the toast of the team with his innings, but RVSC will rue the one that got away.

NPCA 50-Over Tables with 1 week to go...

POINTS TABLE - LEAGUE 2009 - 50 OVERS.
01.11.09
SUPER
TEAM	PLAYED	WIN(WON)	DRAW	BAT	BOWL	BONUS	PENALTY	TOTAL
Swamibapa 'A'	13	132(11)	6	20	45	8	-1	210
Kanbis 'A'	13	120(10)	0	26	48	2	0	196
Telca	13	108(9)	0	12	38	18	0	176
Stray Lions 'A'	13	96(8)	12	17	39	8	-2	170
Kanbis 'B'	13	60(5)	6	12	40	8	0	126
SCLYL 'A'	13	36(3)	0	12	36	2	0	86
Sir Ali 'A'	13	24(2)	12	15	15	0	-8	58
Simba Union A	13	12(1)	0	8	31	2	0	53
DIV I	PLAYED	WIN(WON)	DRAW	BAT	BOWL	BONUS	PENALTY	TOTAL
Nbi,Nookers 'A'	13	144(12)	0	19	40	18	-1	220
Swamibapa 'B'	13	132(11)	0	23	49	8	-1	211
Premier	13	84(7)	6	17	40	6	-1	152
Kongonis Dev	13	72(6)	6	23	40	0	-3	138
Ruaraka 'A'	13	60(5)	0	16	31	10	-1	116
Nbi.Jafferys	13	48(4)	12	8	29	4	-3	98
Ngara	13	48(4)	0	3	38	8	-5	92
Nbi.Gymkhana	13	12(1)	0	10	35	0	0	57
DIV II	PLAYED	WIN(WON)	DRAW	BAT	BOWL	BONUS	PENALTY	TOTAL
Stray Lions 'B'	13	132(11)	6	11	47	14	0	210
Golden XI	13	108(9)	0	13	40	18	0	179
Goan Inst'A'	13	96(8)	6	23	39	6	0	170
Aga Khan	13	96(8)	12	15	35	6	0	160
Sir Ali 'B'	13	72(6)	0	11	36	12	-8	122
SCLYL 'B'	13	60(5)	0	14	36	8	0	118
Simba Union B	13	24(2)	0	9	29	8	-7	63
Qutbis	13	12(1)	0	14	19	0	-2	43
DIV III	PLAYED	WIN(WON)	DRAW	BAT	BOWL	BONUS	PENALTY	TOTAL
Parklands	12	120(10)	6	14	44	8	-4	188
Aaryans	12	96(8)	6	20	34	12	-1	167
Goan Inst'B'	11	60(5)	0	5	25	23	-1	112
Oshwal XI	11	60(5)	0	5	37	8	0	110
Nbi Nookers 'B'	11	60(5)	0	6	33	12	-1	110
Ruaraka 'B'	12	60(5)	0	3	25	12	-1	99
Women XI	11	12(1)	0	1	27	2	-1	41