SundayIPRC-Kigali 95/2 (10 ov) vs Kuchi Tigers 43/7 (10 ov)IPRC-Kigali won by 52 runsRight Guards 121/5 (10 ov) vs Indorwa 83/4 (10 ov)Right Guards won by 38 runsChallengers CC 102/6 (10 ov) vs Zonic Tigers 48/8 (10 ov)Challengers won by 54 runsAs the race for the first piece of silverware for the 2024 season hots up, contenders Challengers, IPRC-Kigali and Right Guards all registered crucial wins in the RCA T10 tournament held at Gahanga Cricket Stadium on Sunday, February 18.On a day of three matches, and when early morning dark clouds and light rain threatened to wash off the second game between Right Guards and Indorwa CC, in the end, there were no upsets as the favorites won their respective encounters and marched towards the semi-finals.Match day 3 of 5, began as defending champions Challengers CC made light work of youthful side Zonic Tigers, with a 54-runs win. Challengers batted first and scored 102/6 (10 over), and Zonic reached 48/8 (10 overs).Right Guards beat Indorwa by 38 runs after registering a competitive first innings total of 121/5 in 10 overs before reducing their opponents to 83/4 (10 overs).IPRC-Kigali stayed level on six points with table leaders Challengers after a commanding 52-runs win over Kuchi Tigers. IPRC-Kigali were 95/2 (10 overs) before limiting Kuchi to just 43/7 in 10 overs.In the day's first game, hot favorites Challengers CC's captain Mustaq Muhammed lost the toss and his team were put in to bat first.Martin Akayezu led Challengers with 43 runs including 4 sixes and 3 fours off just 17 balls with Muhammed (25 runs off 18 balls) and Zappy Bimemyimana (16 runs off 11) also having their contributions noticed.Meanwhile, Israel Mugisha (captain) and Rodrigue Niyomugabo took two wickets apiece for Zonic Tigers.In the second innings, Jasper Nziza, batting at number 6, led Gahanga-based Zonic Tigers with an unbeaten 13 off 18 balls, while Mugisha and Elvy Gihozo added eight runs each off 7 and 9 balls respectively.Elsewhere, Eric Dusingizimana, batting at number two, fell shy of half a century as he led Right Guards with a solid 43 runs off 24 balls, including 2 sixes and 3 fours.Wilson Niyitanga added 27, which had a six and 4 fours. Kelvin Irakoze Kabare scored 20 including 2 sixes and a four off 9 balls, Will Hammond (16 off 11) after opener Orchide Tuyisenge had got the team off to a flying start with a quick-fire 12 off 4 balls.Mihir Bhatt took the wicket of Niyitanga and Kabare, both bowled out, while Chancelier Nzabarinda removed Tuyisenge.Set a daunting target of 122 runs, Indorwa, who were missing key player Eric Hirwa through injury, reached 83/4. Protogene Irafasha top scored with 23 off 23 balls including 1 six and 2 fours. Lalit Hotchandina blasted 2 sixes and a four on the way to 21 runs off 9 balls. Bhatt had 22 off 10.Kabare took 2 wickets, while veteran wicketkeeper/bowler and former Rwanda international Denis Mukama picked one wicket, to take his tally to a tournament-leading five in three matches.And the best was saved for last as openers Isae Niyomugabo, 45 runs including 7 fours off 25 balls and Aime Mucyodusenge 28 off 24 not out, led IPRC-Kigali to victory over Kuchi Tigers in the day's final game.Yvan Mitali and Kishani Dabasiya took one wicket apiece. In pursuit of 96 runs to win, Jean Pierre Rukundo (3 wickets) and Eric Kubwimana (2 wickets), ran through Kuchi Tigers batting order with only Mukesh Patel (16 off 23) and Prince Mwizerwa (9 off 12) managing notable scores.With three matches played, Challengers and IPRC-Kigali remain unbeaten on six points each, while Right Guards are third on four points and Zonic Tigers compete the top four. Kuchi Tigers and Indorwa are fifth and sixth with no point.Meanwhile, Indatwa Hampshire will meet SORWATHE CC in the final of the women's tournament.Indatwa, 76/3 (9.2 overs) beat Gahanga Queens, 72/3 (10 overs) by eight wickets whereas SORWATHE 42/3 beat Muhanga Zebra, 38/10, by seven wickets.The final will be played next month after the women national team returns from the All Africa Games in Ghana. The team, currently in camp, will leave for West Africa on Friday.
