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LONDON NIGERIANS CRICKET CLUB TOUR OF NIGERIA ENDS WITH THRILLS | (2008-04-10 )
The Cricket Tour of Nigeria by London Nigerians Cricket Club (LNCC) tagged "Beyond the Boundary" ended on Sunday, March 30 at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval with thrills. The tour which took them from Lagos to Abuja and back to Lagos was very successful and memorable for the tourists.
The first match was a 20/20 one played on Monday, March 24, at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval, Lagos against a youthful Lagos Cavaliers side. London Nigerians won by 8 runs. The tourists took the field first scoring 80 runs all out.What looked like an easy target for the Lagos Cavaliers became a herculean task as they were bowled out for 72 runs in 12 overs. Dele Oshodi (LNCC) was awarded the Man of the Match for his outstanding 5 wickets for 13 runs. K. Pearce (LNCC ) top scored with 19 not out.
Lagos Cavaliers bowlers who performed well were C. Onwuzilike 3 for 10, L. Awolowo 3 for 11. Olugbon Olympio scored 22 runs .
The second match was played on Wednesday, March 26, at the Abuja Cricket Pitch against Cricket Club of Abuja (CCA).The Abuja team proved to the tourists that cricket has actually started in Abuja as they defeated LNCC by 7 wickets.
LNCC scored 159 for 6 wickets in 30 overs. Roland Ilube (LNCC), 31 runs Theodore Sota contributed 20 runs. The duo of Ravi and Saad of Abuja Cricket Club took the victory from LNCC as they scored 70 and 30 not out respectively. Ravi (CCA) was awarded the Man of the Match.
The tourists were back in Lagos on Friday, March 28 for their third match, this time against Ibeju Lekki Cricket Club (ILCC).They were bowled all out for 126 runs. Ibeju Lekki won by 8 wickets to secure victory in the 18th over. Y. Amusa (ILCC) 44 and O. Olympio (ILCC) 37 not out. Sean Philips (ILCC) took 4 wickets for 24 runs. Michael Marioghae of LNCC was the declared Man of the Match for his 36 runs and 2 wickets for 35. Roland Ilube scored 25 runs.
The tour ended with their fourth match on Sunday at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval, Lagos played against NCF President's XI consisiting of members of the National Team who are preparing for the forthcoming North West Africa Cricket Championship (NWACC).
LNCC strengthened their team with the inclusion of Michael Harte and Samuel Asielue. They lifted their game this time by scoring 189 in 39.5 overs. However, they lost by 5 wickets.President's XI scored 190 for 5 in 34.4 overs.Tayo Okusanya (LNCC), was awarded Man of the Match for his outstanding knock of 63 runs. Yemi Makunjuola (Captain of LNCC) added 38 runs to the total.
Segun Olayinka of President's XI scored 48 runs supported by his Captain, Wale Adeoye with a score of 27 runs not out.
Amongst the cricket enthusiasts who attended the closing ceremony were- Kwesi Sagoe, President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), Ewa Henshaw, 2nd Vice President of NCF, Chuma Anosike, Board Member NCF, Egba Okumagba, Managing Director, BGL, George Wiltshire, Chairman, Lagos State Cricket Association, Godwin Dudu-Orumen of Sportshaq, Group Captain (Rtd.) Gab Esho, Prof. Makanju of University of Lagos, Kome Agodo, Tunde Akinleye, Chairman, Club Cricket Committee (CCC), Prince Ademuluyi, Dr. Jide Idris, Commissioner for Health, Lagos State Government, Mr. Oyesiku and Mr Akintunde Simplice.
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