BRFCC BEATS FGC WARRI, MEETS GCIOB IN LAGOS
IBEJU Lekki-based BRFCC last weekend defeated Federal Government College, Warri (FGCW) Old Boys by five wickets to qualify for the final of the 2011 Lagos GTAssur Twenty20 Championship, where it will meet Government College Ibadan Old Boys (GCIOB) Cricket Club in the battle for the trophy.
In the much-anticipated clash between two of the best sides in Nigeria, FGCW won the toss and elected to bat, with BRFCC, which is yet to lose a match this season, fielding first. Not long after the commencement of the first innings, FGCW lost its first wicket when Alikali caught Azeez Salako, who made just thee runs.
Onikoyi held BRFCC's trump card in this innings as he made three catches, while Solebo had two. FGCW was all out with a conservative 90 runs in 20 overs. Oduyebo and Okwudili were top of the pack for FGCW with 22 runs each. Okwudili, in particular, was more promising as he made the 22 runs off 23 balls.
In the second innings, BRFCC showed initial nerves as Seyi Olympio, Solebo, Onikoyi and Behani lost their wickets in quick succession. However, Oyede and Awolowo (each 26 not out) stabilised the club's game. Their partnership ensured that BRFCC achieved its target, reaching 100 for the loss of five.
With the win, BRFCC thus qualified for the final of the final, where it will battle with GCIOB for the top hours. In the second semi-final, also held last weekend, GCIOB defeated Lagos Asians by five wickets. The Lagos Asians batted first and scored 131 for the loss of six, while GCIOB reached 133 for the loss of five.
The final and the closing ceremony of the 2011 edition of the competition will hold at the Tafawa Balewa Square cricket oval on May 22.
Officials of the Nigerian Cricket Federation say the date was picked to allow national team players expected to participate in the African Premier League division two play-off in South Africa and World Cricket League division seven play-off in Botswana to play for their teams in the epic game. The games hold next month and early May respectively.