The Edo Cricket League defending champion, the U17 Cricket Club saw their first action this weekend and left an indelible mark on their first real opponent to prove their rating was not a fluke.
Coming from a walkover win last weekend against UNIBEN Cricket Club, and parading mostly the national U17 players, the team made mincemeat of Crusaders Cricket Club attempt to pluck a win off them.
David Abiebhode sterling bowling figures of 5 wickets in 2 overs decimated Crusaders CC batting set up, choking them to last for only 8.1 over with 28 runs. It took 5.5 overs; with no loss of wicket to blow out the entire Crusaders’ dream.
In the second match of the weekend on Saturday between Dolphins CC and Invictus CC, despite effort of the Isesele twins; Odion and Akhere along with Agbi Godsent to register a desperate win for the Dolphins, it was Asia Osaro’s (of Invictus) 3 wickets for 4 runs in seven balls that changed the game.
Invictus won by 28 runs in 7.1 overs over Dolphins.
Dolphins Cricket Club only needed 24hrs to get a redemption from the loss inflicted as they returned on Sunday and took out Integrity Force Cricket Club (all -out) in 15.3 over. Akhere Isesele had 63 runs and Adjiwanou Courage took four wickets for 6 runs in 4 overs to cage the ravaging form of Integrity’s Vincent Adewoye who had three catches in the encounter. Dolphin won with 45 runs.
The last match was No-Limit blowing past Crusaders CC with 91 runs, leaving their campaign for the league title in tatters.
Vice-Chairman of the Edo State Cricket Association Barrister Abraham Oviawe said that despite the impressive results by some club and seemingly woeful outing by others, no club should be underrated at any point.
“Some team’s chemistry and partnerships may click as the season progresses. I see a lot of potentials in some of the clubs that seem to be struggling and I think it is too early for any coach to count their chicks. The league is still very open.” He said.
The Edo cricket League is one of the top Cricket Leagues in North-West Africa region and features a high percentage of players representing the country at different levels. The current season 2021/22 features eight teams with main and feeder teams for developments purpose.
