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EDO CRICKET LEAGUE: FINAL WEEKEND REPORT | (2012-04-04 )

Integrity force cricket club emerged as the new champions of the Edo State cricket league 2011/2012 season when they defeated No limit cricket club by 2 wickets, on sunday 18th March 2012

The tension soaked match which lived to its billing as the star attraction of the league had in attendance, all Secondary and pry school cricket teams in the state,all participating clubs of the league, Representative  of the  Chairman, Africa cricket association, Prof Anthony Okunbor, ( NCF Board member)  Director sports, Edo state sports council, parents, friends and cricket enthusiasts from the Edo/delta axis.

No limit cricket won the toss and batted first.The batsmen who  were pegged back from scoring due to tight bowling from Owen Uhunamure ( 3 wickets for 15runs in 6 overs) and James Imanhalimi ( 2wickets for 10 runs in 6 overs),  eventually got 120 runs for 9 wickets in 30 overs, aided largely by Batsman of the series award winner Ehizogie Musa, who scored  30 runs

In reply, the Integrity force batsmen played with extreme caution, to reach 121 runs for 8 wickets in 25 overs powered by the inspiring display of controlled attacking batting from ex Nigerian U19 player, Duro Akayan ( 43 runs), to the delight of spectators.
No limit captain and Bowler of the serie award winner, Nosa Agbonwanegbe  2 wickets for 15 runs in 6 overs while Maurice Ajao also wieghed in with 2 wickets for 18 in 6 overs.

Other awards presented at the ceremony include
Wicket keeper of the series--------- Duro Akayan ( Integrity force cricket club )
Best young player-------------------------Eghosa Aghedo ( Integrity force cricket club )
Fielder of the series--------------------- Andrew Ighojopha ( No limit cricket club)
Cricketer of the Series ----------------- Blessing Okoro ( F16 cricket club )

Roland Ilube Trophy for Champion scecondary school--------------------Adolo college
Man of series  secondary school competition--------------------------------Festus Olaye

Andrew Amadasun trophy for U13 cricket competition---------------------Continental pry school
Man of series U13 competition ------------------------------------------------------David Ogbimi

In his closing speech, Prof Anthony Okunbor praised the efforts of the sponsors of the league Mr, Bob Osaghae,Mr Samuel Akhionbare, Roland Ilube  for their efforts to keep the game of cricket alive in Edo state.

He appealed to the Edo State Government to give more  support to sports, especially the less popoular ones like cricket.

He also enjoined the crowd to join in prayers for Mr Bob Osaghae whose 82 yrs old father was kidnapped by unknown people on the same day after church, hence he was unble to attend the event.

Earlier in the weekend,
Saturday 17th March 2012,
In the penultimate match of the League, F16 cricket club defeated Warri cricket club by 73 runs. The match was a pride salvaging one, saw the Last years champions F16 batting first after winning the toss to put up a score of 247runs for 4 in 30 overs. Blessing Okoro played the seasons highest individual score  139 runs not out supported by 35 runs from ex Nigerian international Ovie Osuaso.
Victor Nosakhare with 2 wickets for 20 runs in 6 overs was the pick of Warri CC bowlers.
In reply, Warri cricket club scored 174 runs for 3 wickets aided by a patient inning s of 66 runs from ex Nigeria U 19 Ayo Mene Ejegi and sterling effort of school boy Samson Onovorovma of 42 runs.
Joseph Okonobo ( 2 wickets for 1118 runs in 6 overs) was the top bowler for F16.

Focus here  will now shift to  the preparation of the State representatives at the forthcoming National competitions namely,  the National Women competition slated for Owerri, Imo state, 30-31 March 2012 and the HOWZAT National Secondary schools cricket competition slated for Ibadan Oyo state 2nd -8th April 2012