RVSC and Spinknit win in Crown Berger 20-20 matches

RVSC defeated Khalsa XI and Spinknit accounted for PBH Royal Cubs in the weekend games in the RVCA Crown Berger 20-20 tournament over the weekend.

In Game 5, Khalsa XI won the toss and elected to field with their top order all getting decent starts. Gunnaskekaran (37) and Nilesh Mehta (16) set the early tempo with Kulveer Ruprai (37*) and V.P. Singh (28) looking to consolidate. RVSC stuck to their guns however and the removal of Singh and Khalsa's efforts to up the run rate resulted in a spurt of wickets to see them close on 142/5 after their 20 overs. Pick of the bowling for RVSC was Rahul ? (2/25)

the RVSC reply was lead from the beginning by the in-form Luke Nightingale who steered his side to victory with an unbeaten 73. Chris Sterling contributed 23, but Khalsa will rue the 20 extra's that was third highest scorer as RVSC got home with 6 wickets and 2.4 overs in hand.

Game 6 saw spinknit bat first after winning the toss and setting an impressive 170/7 in their allotted overs. Minesh Bhatt retired after scoring 60 and a late flourish from Jatin Patel (31) did the damage. Jaymin Patel picked up 3/36 for the Cubs with Raj Patel and Ravi Patel taking one each.

PBH in reply had little answer to the spinknit bowlers with all who were used taking wickets. Indravadan Patel (2/6), Ahmed ? (2/7) and D.K ?? (2/10) the main destroyers. In the end a comfortable win for spinknit as the PBH Royal Cubs innings folded for just 68.

Khalsa XI and RVSC take first blood in Crown Berger 20-20

Khalsa XI and Rift Valley Sports Club (right) started their RVCA Crown Berger 20-20 campaigns with convincing wins over the weekend.

Khalsa took on Melvins in he first game of the tournament and looked in control right from the start. Winning the toss, they opted to bat and put on an imposing 218/3 with all of their batsmen getting starts. Guniskar ? (30) and Nilesh Meta (29) laid the foundation before Kulveer ?(63) and Hassan ? (64*) put the foot down to leave them firmly in control going into the break.

Chasing such a big target, Melvins needed quick runs but instead lost both quick and regular wickets as the struggled to come to grips with the Khalsa bowling. Maulik ? (29) and Bhavesh ? (24) were the only batsmen to get into double figures as Guniskar completed a fine all round performance taking 5/24 while Vikash ? finished with figures of 3/12. Melvins were all out for 91 giving Khalsa a thumping 127 run win to start their season.

In the second game of the tournament, also played at the RVSC ground, the home side were simply too good for Swamibapa who only managed 99 batting first after winning the toss. The mysteriously named D.K was the best of Swamibapa's batsmen with 33 with the next highest score a mere 13. Sahil ? (3/7), Sterling ? (2/18) and Arfan ? (2/24) doing the bulk of the damage with the ball.

RVSC's reply never looked in doubt with Rahul ? (31*) and Luke (Nightingale?) (62*) easing the home side to victory without losing a wicket.

If any Rift Players read this, please note the number of players recorded in the scorecards and hence reports without their full names. Please try to encourage the scorers to include these as it makes it much easier for the rest of us to follow who has done what.

Kisumu are Woolmatt Champs

Kisumu apparently walked away with the 2009 RVCA Woolmatt Cricket League after a thorough demolition of Rift Valley Sports Club in the final played last Saturday.

Batting first, Kisumu made 274 in their allotted 40 overs before bowling RVSC out for a mere 109.

More details to follow as they become available.

Result courtesy of RVCA