The 8th South East Cricket Championship for Chuma Anosike Cup kicked off on Thursday April 5th at Government Secondary School, Owerri Imo State after teams arrived on the 4th for the most anticipated Cricket fiesta. The five states in the South East namely, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states participated in the championship which started in the year 2011. This year featured the maiden edition of the female version and three states names, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo states produced female teams.

 

The University of Nigeria Cricket Team emerged champions after beating Anambra  State by 90 runs.

 

In the female category, Anambra State female team beat Ebonyi state team by 6 wickets to become the champions in the female category while Ebonyi came second in this category.

 

The finals was played at Government Secondary School, Afikpo, Ebonyi state after the competition could not continue in Government Secondary Owerri, Imo state due to the decision by the LOC to disqualify the Imo state team 1 for fielding ineligible players.

 

At the end of the 1st innings of the 15 overs 1st place match played at Government Secondary School, Afipko, UNN scored 143 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted 15 overs in a match that featured a lot of 4s and 6s.

 

Okafor Somto scored 43 runs off 32 balls while Ogbue Chuka scored 23runs off 10 balls. Kanu Onyeka, Udekwe Emelie, Ejindu Chisom and Diobi Ebuka, Ifediora Emanuel got one wicket each.

 

In the second innings, Anambra put up stiff resistance but seemed to have crumbled in the course of their quest for victory due to, perhaps, the huge total facing them.

 

Anambra batted 90 runs all out in 11.4 overs. Tabansi Onyeka batted 28 runs off 20 balls while Nwosu Chinecherem played 24 runs off 13 balls.

 

Somto Okafor got 5 wickets to top the bowling, thus helping his team clinch the title of the 8th South East Cricket Championship for the Chuma Anosike Cup.

 

In the 3rd place match, Ebonyi batted first and scored 112 runs in the allotted 10 overs. Igbo Chukwuemeka scored 16 runs off 17 balls. Obiegbulam Jessey got 2 wickets.

 

Abia started chasing in the second innings but could only score 51 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in the allotted 10 overs. Onuegbu Enyinnaya scored 16 runs off 23 balls while Samuel Favour batted 15 runs (not out) off 13 balls. Okongwu Thompson got two wickets to secure a win for his team. Ebonyi won by 61 runs to take the 3rd place position in the 8th South East Cricket Championship for Chuma Anosike Cup.

 

Speaking during the closing ceremony, the president of Nigeria Cricket Federation represented by the National Development Manager, Southern Nigeria, Mr. Tonye Timinadi felicitated with the South-East for the wonderful initiative of Barr. Chuma Anosike which has provided more playing opportunities for cricketers in the south-east and for creating a platform for talent discovery. He encouraged the sponsor to continue with the same spirit which will definitely take the game of cricket to the next level in the zone.

 

Also speaking, the sponsor, Barrister Chuma Anosike congratulated the players pointing out his vision of having super-sports cover the event in a couple of years. He thanked the organizers and the LOC as well as all the companies that sponsored in various ways stressing the potential that cricket has in the south-east to grow even stronger.

 

Highlight of the closing ceremony included the presentation of medals, plaques, souvenirs and trophies to the participants.

 

Many players bagged various awards in various categories which include the following:

  1. Batsman of the series –             Tabansi Onyeka
  2. Bowler of the series –               Okafor Somto

iii.                Fielder of the series –               Obiegbula Jesse

  1. Wicket Keeper of the series –   Ogbue Chuka
  2. Cricketer of the series –             Izekwe Kossisochukwu
  3. Best Behaved Team –                Abia State Team.

 

 

Day One Report

The first match of the tournament was between Imo State Team 1 and Abia State Team. Imo won the toss and elected to field. Abia batted 150 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Adum Godwin scored 61 runs off 58 balls in the 20 overs match while Nwokporo Chijamike scored 11 runs off 8 balls. Mbadiwe Chizitere got 3 wickets in 2 overs, Ike Chidiebube got 2 wickets in 3 overs and Igwe Nzubechi got 2 wickets after bowling 3 overs.

 

In the second innings, Imo team 1 chased the runs but could only score 88 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. Abia won Imo with 38 runs.

 

Douglas Zamani of IMO state scored 33runs off 23balls. Igweze Chinedu of Abia took 3 wickets, while Adebisi Rokeeb, Godswill Amugu and Nwokporo chijamike all took 2 wickets each.

 

The second match of the day was between UNN Team and Imo team 2. UNN won the toss and elected to field. The match was abruptly disrupted when the heavens opened up.

The tournament continued the next day, 6th April, 2018

 

 

Day 2 Report.  

 

1st Match

Actions continued in the second day, 6th April 2018, in the South East Cricket Championship for the Chuma Anosike Cup

 

1st Innings

In the first innings of the 2nd Match between Imo Team 2 and UNN Team, UNN won the toss and elected to field. Imo batted 108 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Akujiobi batted 26 runs off 30 balls while Onwuliri Chukwudi supported with 14 runs off 33balls. Nwosu Kenechukwu got 4 wickets in 4 overs while Okafor Henry got 2 wickets in 3 overs.

 

2nd Innings

 

In the second, UNN Team chased the runs but could only score 96 runs for 9 wickets. Imo 2 won UNN with 12runs. Okoye Pascal and Nwosu kenechukwu of UNN scored 19 runs off 29 balls and 11 of 15 balls respectively. Onwuliri Chukwudi took 4 wickets after bowling 3 overs.

 

2nd Match

 

1st Innings

In the 3rd Men’s match between Anambra State and Abia State . Anambra won the toss and elected to field.

 

Abia batted 72 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. Godswill Adum scored 20 runs off 24 balls while Igweze Chinedu scored 18 runs off 26 balls. Ezeaguba Chijioke got 3 wickets in 4 overs, Udoekwe Chiemere got 2 wickets in 3 overs.

 

2nd Innings

In the second innings, Anambra Team chased and scored 76 runs for 2 against Abia’s 72 runs. Anambra won by 9 wickets.

 

Tabansi Onyeka scored 32 runs (not out) off 35 balls while Kanu Onyeka scored 20 runs off 26 balls to top the batting for Anambra. Adum Godswill of Abia took 2 wickets.

 

3rd Match

 

 1st Innings

In the first innings of the 1st women’s Match between Ebonyi and Anambra state female teams, Ebonyi won the toss and elected to bat. Ebonyi put up 73 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Aneke Gift scored 7 runs off 14 balls in the 20 overs.

Uwakwe Faith got 4 wickets in 4 overs while Ani Esther got 2  wickets in 4 overs.

 

 

2nd Innings

In the second innings, Anambra Team chased and scored 75 runs for the loss of 5 wickets against the 73 runs of Ebonyi Female Team. Anambra won Ebonyi with 6 wickets.

Izuako Sabastina scored 19runs off 26 balls while Ani Esther scored 19 runs off 12 balls. Mbam Herieta of Ebonyi took 4 wickets.

Day 3 Report.  

 

 

There was no match on the 3rd day because of the issue that arose from the disqualification of the Imo state team 1 over fielding of ineligible players. The rest of the competition was played at Afipko on the 8th of April, 2018