Olila and Soroti City make strong statements on opening day of Cricket Uganda Women’s Division One League

‎Defending champions Olila Cricket Club and Soroti City Cricket Club made strong starts to their campaigns in the Cricket Uganda Women’s National League Division One, securing two victories each on an action-packed opening day.
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‎The day belonged to Olila’s prolific duo of Esther Iloku and captain Malisa Ariokot, whose consistent batting displays powered the defending champions to back-to-back victories over Jinja Secondary School, while Soroti City showcased impressive all-round performances to complete a double over Wanderers Cricket Club.
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‎Olila Complete Double Over Jinja SSS
‎At Jinja SS Oval, Olila CC opened their title defence in commanding fashion with a 93-run victory over Jinja SSS in the morning fixture.
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‎After winning the toss and opting to bat, Olila recovered from the loss of two early wickets through a superb partnership between Esther Iloku and captain Malisa Ariokot. Iloku struck an impressive 60 off 51 deliveries, including nine boundaries, while Ariokot remained unbeaten on 53 from 38 balls to guide Olila to 133 for 3 in 18 overs.
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‎Jinja SSS never found momentum in response as Olila’s disciplined bowling attack kept regular pressure on the hosts. The innings eventually closed at 40 for 9 in 17.3 overs, handing Olila a comfortable victory. Iloku’s match-winning half-century earned her the Player of the Match award.
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‎The afternoon fixture followed a similar script as Olila registered a 53-run victory to complete the double.
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‎Batting first again, Olila posted 124 for 5 in their 20 overs thanks to another outstanding stand between Iloku and Ariokot. Iloku continued her rich vein of form with a composed 50 off 41 balls, while Ariokot anchored the innings with an unbeaten 53 from 47 deliveries.
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‎In pursuit of 125, Jinja SSS struggled against a well-organised Olila bowling attack. Asha Mukite top-scored with 16, while Rashidah Tikabula added 15, but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.
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‎Lorna Anyait delivered a standout spell of 3 for 5 from four overs, while Immaculate Nandera claimed two wickets as Jinja SSS finished on 71 for 8. Ariokot’s unbeaten half-century earned her the Player of the Match accolade.
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‎Soroti City Too Strong for Wanderers
‎At Florida Cricket Ground, Soroti City CC also enjoyed a perfect start to the season with victories in both their matches against Wanderers CC.
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‎The morning contest was reduced to 12 overs per side due to rain. Soroti elected to bat first and were bowled out for 69, with Jimia Muhammed contributing 22 runs and Arugo Joyce Mary adding 16.
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‎Wanderers’ Sonia Nampeera produced one of the performances of the day, claiming six wickets for 13 runs, including a hat-trick, to keep her side firmly in contention.
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‎However, Soroti responded brilliantly with the ball, reducing Wanderers to 13 for 5 inside six overs. Nampeera remained unbeaten on 16 while Irene Mutonyi added an unbeaten 12, but Wanderers could only manage 47 for 5 from their 12 overs.
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‎Mitchelle Aryago, Tino Sarah and Alio Ritah led the disciplined bowling effort as Soroti secured a hard-fought 22-run victory. Despite ending on the losing side, Nampeera’s exceptional all-round display earned her the Player of the Match award.
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‎Soroti completed the double in the afternoon with a convincing 65-run win.
‎Captain Janet Mbabazi led from the front with a commanding 58 off 41 balls, while Patricia Timong contributed a steady 35 as Soroti posted 133 for 8 in their 20 overs.
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‎Wanderers struggled to build meaningful partnerships in the chase as Soroti’s bowlers maintained control throughout the innings. Irene Alumo scored 12 while Mutonyi Irene added 10, but the target proved beyond reach.
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‎Mary Namiiro, Mitchelle Aryago and Naume Jane Amongin delivered key breakthroughs as Wanderers were restricted to 68 for 9, sealing another comfortable victory for Soroti. Mbabazi was named Player of the Match for her influential half-century.