Kongonis and Rwenzori start to dominate

East Africa Premier League

Rwenzori Warriors extended their lead in the table and retained their 100% record with a crushing 106-run victory over winless Coast Pekee. The Warriors amassed 184 for 2, Roger Mukasa scoring 126 not out from 64 deliveries despite being hampered by a groin injury, and the Pekee, who have failed to score well in any of their outings, only managed 78 for 6 in reply.

Rift Valley Rhinos failed to maintain the pressure on the Warriors, losing to Nile Knights by four wickets. The Rhinos started well but then subsided from 26 for 1 to 32 for 6, and in the end only mustered 79. The Knights paced their chase perfectly, Davis Arinaitwe anchoring the innings with 40 not out as wickets fell around him, and they eased home off the first ball of the final over.

Kongonis moved second despite losing their first two matches, beating local rivals Nairobi Buffaloes by 10 runs at Nairobi Club. Kongonis' 86 for 7 did not seem enough, but the Buffaloes lost their way after reaching 40 for 3 and lost their last six wickets for 18 runs.

Kongonis remained top of the pile after they completed the weekend double over Nairobi Buffaloes, winning the 50-over tie by four wickets. The Buffaloes won the toss and opted to bat and their openers took a patient approach which never gave the middle order a platform to post a huge total and they ended up on 190 for 9. The pick of the bowlers was youngster Paramveer Singh who finished with impressive figures of 4 for 38. Kongonis held they nerve after the early dismissal of Baden Odinga to put together a 92-run second-wicket partnership between new recruit Abdul Rehman (38) and the impressive Gordon Brown who conjured up 82. The Buffaloes bowlers had little to defend and only Pritesh Rabadia's effort of 3 for 26 off 7 overs had checked the runs. They were again guilty of several dropped chances that let off the hosts; they have to improve in this department if they are to compete for the title.

In Nakuru, hosts Rift Valley Rhinos registered a morale boosting win against the visiting Nile Knights by 22 runs (D/L) . The rain-interrupted match was decided at the end of the 44th over. The Knights won the toss and kept matters in check by bowling out the Rhinos for 162, but the Rhinos 'never die attitude' turned the match on its head to leave the visitors on 132 for 9 by the time the heavens opened. Though, the match could have gone either way, the Knights were left frustrated after their match a week earlier was rained out with them in an almost insurmountable position.

Rwenzori Warriors moved second after an indifferent start to the competition, albeit over whipping boys Coast Pekee. At least Pekee managed to muster a decent total, making 205 thanks largely to Nadeem Ahmed's brilliant 82 off 81 balls, while Ivan Kakande was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 32. As has been the case in all the EAC games played in Uganda, the rains came down in the interval. The Duckworth/ Lewis method therefore came into play with the Warriors left needing 154 to win in 30 overs, and that proved an easy chase as they won by five wickets with 16 balls in hand.