NPCA Fixtures For Sunday 6th August

Teams in bold are my picks to win. Last week, I was right in 7 out of 11 matches. Not bad, but room for improvement. Last weeks picks were based on the 2005 season standings, so it is good to see that some teams seem to have improved since last year.

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SUPER DIVISION:

There will be no Super Division matches played this week as the two scheduled games have been put back until 20th October. Not sure as to the reason for this, but it could well be due to many of the players being away on national duty. The two matches concerned are:
Kongonis ‘A’ versus Swamibapa ‘A’ at Nairobi Club
Aga Khan S C ‘A’ versus Nbi Gymkhana ‘A’ at Aga Khan Sports Center.

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DIVISION I:

Division I sees a full complement of games due to be played:
Kanbis Sports Club 'B' vs. Parklands Sports Club - Rhinos at Eastleigh Sec Sch:

Kanbis defeated Ruaraka last week and won the division last season so go into the match hot favourites. Rhinos had last week's match called off due to a wet pitch, so this is the first outing of the season for them. They finished second in Div II last season, so as the second promoted team will have a tough assignment against Kanbis.

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Ngara Sports Club vs. Swamibapa Cricket Club 'B' at Ngara S.C:

Both teams had wins last week, so will come in with confidence. Swamibapa won on the strength of their bowling attack, while Ngara chased down 287 on the back of a Jay Solanki century. It should be a cracker of a game - my pick Swami's as they were not really stretched with the bat last week so look to have more in the tank.

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Shree Cutchi Leva Youth League vs Kongonis Cricket Club 'B' at Pindolia Academy:

Kongonis surely favourites to win this after SCLYL's mauling at the hands of Swamibapa's bowling last week. Kongoni's play their first match this weekend so should be raring to go. Hopefully, SCLYL will bounce back after last week.

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Premier Club vs. Ruaraka Sports Club 'A' at Premier Club.

A toughie to pick as both lost narrowly last week, but I will go for Premier as Ngara only earned promotion last season. Could well be the match of the round.

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DIVISION II:

Nairobi Nookers Cricket Club vs Simba Union Sports Club at Nairobi School: Nookers lost to Stray Lions last week despite heroics from Ronald. Simba Union are the promoted team from Div III, so should be the underdogs. Never the less, they are my pick - it would be good to see them continue the march up the divisions.

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Stray Lions C.C 'A' versus Aga Khan Sports Center 'B' at Simba Union: Both teams surprised me by winning their matches last week, but the Aga Khan batsmen look to be in too good form to go past.

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Nbi Institute get a bye after last weeks defeat by Qutbis.
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DIVISION III:
Golden XI vs. Oshwal XI at Highridge Pr Sch: Debutantes Oshwal gave Parklands Ndovu a real scare last week, but Golden XI's bowlers seem to be in good form despite their loss to Ruaraka. Another toughie, but I'll go with the more experienced side.

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Nbi Jaffery Sports Club 'B' vs. Stray Lions 'B' at Nbi Jaffery S.C: Two teams that started in vastly contrasting styles. Jaffery defeated Telca fairly comfortably, while Stray Lions were annihilated by Sir Ali. Hopefully Jaffery will keep up the winning ways and make up for the withdrawal of their senior team.

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Parklands Sports Club - Ndovu vs. Telca Cricket Club at Parklands S.C: Ndovua won last week despite being run close by Oshwal. They should have enough experience to account for the newcomers, Telca. It will be interesting to see how the latter's bowler, Odoyo goes. He took 3/17 last week - I wonder if he is a younger brother to Thomas (anyone who knows, please drop me a line).

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Ruaraka Sports Club 'B' vs. Sir Ali Muslim Club 'B' at Ruaraka S.C: Sir Ali put on a very impressive display against Stray Lions B last week while Ruaraka beat the Golden XI thanks largely to 5/30 from Nguru, the best bowling figures from last week. It will be interesting to see how Sir Ali's prolific batsmen go against what seems to be a stong attack, but they would still be favourites to win.

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So ten matches in action and plenty of cricket going on in Nairobi this week. I will post a results round up as soon as it comes through from the NPCA, but any players out there who would like to send me match reports sooner are more than welcome. My email address can be found via the link in 'profiles'.