Cricket fans from all walks of life converged at the Nakuru’s Rift Valley Sports Club (RVSC) to participate in the Martin Bentley Memorial tournament last Sunday.
The climax of the tournament was a 20 overs match featuring Cricket Kenya Captain XI team against Cricket Kenya Chairlady XI side.
Captain’s team under the tutelage of Steve Tikolo beat Chairlady’s outfit by 23 runs in a thrilling encounter to be crowned champions of the memorial tourney.
Captain side were the first to bat and they set a winning target of 125 for the loss of 7 wickets in maximum 20 overs.
In Captain’s innings, Michael Railes was the highest scorer with 34 runs, Maurice Ouma contributed 20 while Dion Haigh added 18 for the victors.
Shem Ngoche starred for Chairlady’s bowling order as he claimed two wickets and conceded 29 runs, while Kenya international spinner Hiren Varaiya was 1-15.
In second innings, National team all-rounder Nehemiah Odhiambo scored a brave 32 but they were not enough as Chairlady could only accumulate 102 all out in 19.5. Shem Ngoche contributed 17.
TOP FORM
In Captain’s XI bowling, Tikolo led from the front as he was 2-9 and so was David Waters at 2-19. Dominic Wasonga was 1-4.
The match was officiated by Lalji Bhudia, Subhash Modi, Narendra Dave and Kanu Patel. The scorers were Margaret Banja and Barbara Ambiyo.
The head groundsman, Kariuki Karuri and his team were thanked for ensuring that the facility remained in top form.
The following dignitaries paid glowing tributes to Bentley: Jackie Janmohamed who is chairperson Cricket Kenya (CK), Diana Rukenya, David Waters (Former NPCA secretary), Doctor Mary Kariuki (Chairlady), Samir Inamdar (former CK chairman), Jayesh Shah (chairman), Maina Kamau (Assistant Sports Commissioner for Kenya).
The event, which was organised by Mahesh Karia and Rajabali and Peter Ongondo, featured former and present Kenya international and club cricketers.