BRF Cricket Club, which over the last few years has emerged as the leading team in the Nigerian club cricket circle, has once again qualified for the final of the GTAssur Twenty20 tournament.The Ibeju Lekki-based team defeated Lagos Asians by 21 runs to set up a final clash with perennial rival, Government College Ibadan Old Boys (GCIOB), which defeated Federal Government College Warri Old Boys in the second semi-final.In the first semis game played over the weekend at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval, BRFCC's captain, Endurance Ofem, won the toss and opted to bat first. Asim Sheik opened the bowling and secured maiden overs in his first two overs as BRF started slowly.BRF's opening batsman, Femi Solebo, departed for 12 caught behind off Ghosalkar Jay. Ofem joined Onikoyi, who departed on 21 with score on 42. Bejide and Ofem then put up a partnership of 82 runs before Bejide departed on 40. BRF ended on 135 after 20 overs for the loss of three wickets, with Ofem (57 not out), Bejide (40) and Onikoyi (21) as its top scorers.In reply, Lagos Asians looked positive and prepared to give in a good chase, but it was unable to set up a decent chase as Happy Singh departed early. Jay Ghosalkar (25) and captain Ricky Sharma (19) had the only decent figures in a chase that ended on 114 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.Seye Olympio had one wicket for nine runs in three overs, with Oyede Leke accounting for two wickets for 19 runs in three overs to give BRF a 21 runs victory. In the second semi-final between GCIOB and FGCWOB on the same oval, FGCW won the toss and opted to bat first, scoring 147 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.Okwudili(62 off 47 balls) and Azeez Salako (37 off 39 balls) gave FGCW a decent start, which it capitalised on to end on a defendable total of 147. GCIOB's Osita Onwuzulike had two wickets for 22 runs in four overs, with support from Chimezie (one for 19 in three overs), Odeku Seun (one for 33 in four overs), and Sesan Adedeji (one for 11 in two overs).A defendable score of 147 runs gave way to an exciting chase from the GCI batsmen, as Chimezie and Odeku shared the first wicket partnership of 78 runs before Odeku (34) departed to bring in-form Kunle Adegbola to the crease.Chimezie departed on 65 with team score on 106, but with much of the job done, as Adegbola expectedly added 18 runs before departing. Osita finished up the job with 27 runs, which included three fours and two sixes.It was a six-wicket victory for GCIOB.Only Femi Oguntoke (two wickets for 33 runs in four overs) and Femi Oduyebo (one wicket for 33 runs in four overs) got the wickets for FGWC.In the final slated for April 29 at the TBS Oval by 1.30p.m, GCIOB is expected to parade such tested stars as Seun Odeku, Kunle Adegbola, vice captain of the Nigerian national team, Onwuzulike Chimezie and Osita, Femi John, Obed Harvey, a Ghanaian international and Chibuike Iteogu.On its part, BRF will look up to Onikoyi Ademola, Bejide Jide, Endurance Ofem, Seye Olympio, Oyede Leke and Joshua Ogunlola in the encounter that is expected to bring out the best of the Nigerian game.
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