The top three Tornado, Wanderers and Patidar Samaj maintained the momentum with decisive wins in the Multiple Industries Men’s National Cricket League on Sunday. But it was fourth and fifth-placed Nile and Charity respectively that provided the thrills.

Both Division One outfits played out a dramatic tie at Kyambogo Oval in a game whose fortunes kept changing at every wink.

Nile had not beaten Charity in two outings this season but all that looked to change when opening batsmen Martin Ondeko (40) and Edmond Musasira (26) rode their luck to a 60-run stand. But when Ondeko was clean bowled by Jackson Ogwang (3/24) the wheels came off their innings.

Charity captain Jonathan Ssebanja and left-arm spinner Henry Ssenyondo shared six wickets as Nile fell for 142. But Charity lost three quick wickets thanks to Geoffrey Gandi (3/20) and Brian Masaba (3/35). An ugly rout on card at 70 for 6 but Ronald Ssemanda (30) and Ssebanja (22) reignited a mini-recovery. They however holed out with the bowling at their mercy and Charity crumbled to 106 for 9.

Then Nile were on top needing one wicket to win. But the last wicket of Lawrence Ssempijja (22) and Allan Ssenabulya (13*) frustrated Nile and were on the brink of guiding Charity across the line only for the former to hole out to mid on off the bowling of Ivan Kakande for Gandi to take the catch on the second attempt with one required for victory.

LEAGUE RESULTS
Patidar Samaj 336/9 Challengers 119/10
Nile 142/10 Charity TF 142/10
Tornado 126/10 SKLPS 103/10
Rounders 161/10 Wanderers 164/4
Division II (Twenty20s)ACC 115/6 Makerere 116/5

By INNOCENT NDAWULA & DARREN A. KYEYUNE, Daily Monitor