Jinja SS defeated Masaka SS by 5 wickets in the Girls Cricket Week final played this afternoon at Lugogo Cricket Oval.
In a game where both teams and coaches know so much about each other, the win was going to be very sweet for the victor and the loss very painful for the losers.
Masaka SS blazed through the group stages without losing a game before they defeated a resurgent Ndejje SS in the semis. Meanwhile, Jinja SS came out of a difficult group that had Kololo SS and Olila High School who both were title favorites, defeating the latter in the semifinals.
In typical Coach Habib Mugalula style, his team Jinja SS won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Immaculate Nakisuyi (23) has been in fine form with the bat and she continued in the final. However, Jinja SS used good tactics on the star player leaving her stranded on one end as she lost partners the other end with Masaka only managing 57 all out.
Reigning Ladies cricketer of the year Stephanie Nampiina was devastating with ball in hand, picking up 3/11 with her leggies.
In reply, Jinja SS stuttered losing key player Rita Musamali and Stephanie Nampiina for single digit figures leaving them languishing at 18/3 but Claire Mushakemba (11) and Naigaga (11) saw the team over the line.
Masaka SS will be proud of themselves for having come this far hopefully the build on this next year and go all the way, the experience of Jinja SS was enough to help them retain the crown.
Olila HS for the second year in a row made the semifinals and shows some consistence in their quest to becoming a cricket power house.
There was a first time appearance for Mt. Rwenzori SS from Kasese and we hope to see them again next year. Light SS from Soroti also made a comeback since the st edition of the Girls Cricket Week.