NYAMALEMBO Girls cricket squad cruised to a hard-fought two-run win over the Geita Girls squad in a pulsating girls' category tie of the 2024 Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) Junior League played in Geita recently.

The encounter saw Nyamalembo Girls' side end with 58 runs all out in 14.5 overs of the scheduled 20 overs once the side had won the toss and chose to bat.

Geita Girls outfit's bowling unit played its heart out, seeking to keep the batting side's performers in check and ensure the latter ended up with a modest total.

The bowling outfit's efforts somewhat paid off following the dismissal of two batters in quick succession during the early stages of the innings.

Aneth Aron, who had been assigned as an opener, was one of the victims of an early exit, as the cricketer ended with four runs whilst managing to crack a four.

Mariam Petro, who came on at number three, was also on the receiving end of an early onslaught by the bowling team, making her way back with a mere two runs.

The other opener, Irene Kulwa, had Nyamalembo Girls seeking to stay in control of the innings having ended one run short of a two-digit figure.

Salima Said and skipper Agnes Odax were so far the members of the batting unit that posted two-digit figures when Nyamalembo Girls batted.

Salima, who was slotted in at number four, was the batter with the most runs as she ended with 13 runs whilst cracking a four.

The fellow batter Agnes equally had a good day with the bat given she notched 12 runs from as many balls.

The rest of Nyamalembo Girls' batting unit members failed to make their presence felt, given none of them managed to end with two-digit figures.

Asimwe Manase ended six runs short of a two-digit figure, vainly battling to give her team hope of ending its turn with the bat with a better total. Despite experiencing a brief stay, the batter had the opportunity to nail a four.

Nine extra runs conceded by the Geita Girls bowling unit, which were so far nine wides, to a great extent boosted Nyamalembo Girls' total.

Geita Girls' Aneth Meshack was the most impressive cricketer when the outfit bowled, registering 4-18 in 3.5 overs, whilst ending with a 4.70 economy rate.

She was ably assisted by Sweetness Maulid and Nkiya Bayege in seeing to it that the Nyamalembo Girls' batting unit sets up a manageable target.

Sweetness ended her overs' quota with an equally impressive 3-17 in the four overs which saw her notch a 4.25 economy rate.

Nkiya notched 2-11 in three overs to pile misery for the Nyamalembo Girls batters, with the performer bringing her bowling stint to an end with a 3.67 economy rate.  

Even though 58 runs turned out to be a modest total, mounting a successful chase was ultimately a tall order for Geita Girls, as they in response ended up notching 56 runs all out in 11.3 overs.

Joyce Jonathan slotted in at number three, was by far the only batter with notable contribution in the Geita Girls batting stint, having recorded 12 runs.

The top-order batter nailed two fours in her spell before being bowled by Nyamalembo Girls' Aneth, leaving the batting side with 35 runs on the board when she exited the crease in the fifth over.

Dotto Yusuf and Rehema Amani were three runs short of two-digit figures for the batting team as the Nyamalembo Girls bowling unit battled to have the outfit successfully defend its score.

Aneth Meshack (six runs not out, one four) and Neema Peter (six runs) were the other Geita Girls' batters with encouraging performances.  

Rahma Twaha led Nyamalembo Girls' successful attempt to thwart the Geita Girls' chase, posting 3-9 in 3.3 overs. The fellow bowlers, Aneth and Amina Bahati, also had a stellar performance having taken two wickets apiece.

Aneth brought her bowling spell to an end with 2-11 in two overs and a 5.50 economy rate, and Amina notched 2-17 in three overs and a 5.67 economy rate.

The Player of the Match prize went to Geita Girls' Aneth Meshack for her solid all-round showing, notching six runs not out when she batted and grabbing four wickets during her bowling stint.