WHITE CLOUDS Cricket Club’s Mary Maina got her third straight woman of match award after an outstanding performance in their last game against Charity in the ongoing VR NAIDU RCA T20 tournament.

Maina, also a star player for the national team, scored 29 runs and got 3 wickets as White Clouds won the game by 41 runs. 

"I am only trying to play well to make sure we defend our title,” Maina said after the match.

After winning the toss, White Clouds batted first and scored 89 runs all out in 17.3 overs. Margaret Vumiliya, who is fresh from the women’s training academy in South Africa, showed her class by picking 4 wickets for 16 runs.

In response, Charity batters failed in their chase as all the star players fell cheaply. Cathia Uwamahoro (2), Vumiliya (4) and Uwase Claudine (2), all went out without making a huge impact. 

In the men’s category, Zappy Bimenyimana’s impressive bowling tormented Kigali CC’s batsmen as Victory CC easily cruised to victory. 

The medium fast bowler picked 2 wickets in his allotted 4 overs with an economy of 3.5 runs per over. Kigali CC batted first and scored only 88 runs all out for their lowest score this season. 

Ed Pearson (31) top scored for Victory CC and was well supported by Andre Kayitera (17) to lead their team to the target with 5 overs to spare.

In the second match, Derrick Bayingana’s brilliant knock of 89 runs wasn’t enough to secure Right Guards CC their first win of the tournament as they lost to Kerala Hunters by three wickets. 

Together with his captain Eric Dusingizimana, the pair put on the highest third wicket partnership of 123 runs as Right Guards reached 179/6 in 20 overs.

In their chase, Sagar Bhaskaran (59) and Sreenish K (40) were the biggest contributors as KHCC passed the score with 9 balls to spare and 3 wickets in hand.

Kerala Hunters will take on Telugu CC in the men’s first semi-finals, while Challengers will be up against Victory CC in the other. Both matches will be played this Sunday at the Kicukiro cricket oval.