FGCWCC wins CCC Lagos League Super Four finals

Federal Government College Warri Cricket Club (FGCWCC) were at their imperial best last weekend as they won the Cricket Club Committee (CCC) Lagos League Super Four finals held at the TBS cricket oval. Demonstrating their dominance both with the ball and the bat, FGCW clinched the title, overcoming Ibeju Lekki Cricket Club by seven wickets.
   
In the first innings, Ibeju Lekki Cricket Club (ILCC) batting lineup faltered under the pressure of FGCW’s disciplined bowling attack, managing to score only 82 runs. Despite a few resilient knocks, they failed to build any substantial partnerships, leading to their early collapse in just over 15 overs.
 
During the second innings, FGCW’s batsmen displayed confidence and composure. Although they lost three wickets, the team steadily progressed towards the target, securing victory within 14.4 overs.
 
The individual awards highlighted the talents across both divisions, celebrating the players’ contributions and exceptional performances throughout the season. In division one, Selim Salau of FGCWCC won the batter of the season and player of the tournament, while Sulaimon Runsewe and Olaleye Elijah, both of Island Titans, won wicket keeper of the season and fielder of the season respectively. Also, Chima Akachukwu of Ibeju Lekki 1 CC clinched the bowler of the season award.
   
In the division two, LTSK team clinched all the awards as Delish was given the bowler of the season and player of the tournament, while Segun Olayinka got the wicket keeper of the season, just as Tope Olayinka received the fielder of the season. Also Amith Singh of MRI Warriors was awarded the batter of the season.
 
The Captain of FGCWCC, Aghedo Destiny, who was elated about the victory, said the team prepared fully to win the league and commended the management of the club for their support to the team. 
 
The Chairman, Club Cricket Committee, Akin Denton, said from statistics, the standard of the league had continued to soar with  lot of improvement from the players and preparation on ground when compared to last season and the seasons before.
 
Denton said the season started in December 2023 and rounded off in May 2024, which is six months of very active and competitive cricket played by the teams.
He described it as the biggest cricket league in Nigeria and the best league in West Africa with nine teams in division one and 12 teams in division two playing active cricket.
 
Denton said four teams have made their intentions known to play in division two, which will make the teams 16, as there would be a lot of matches, adding that without the requisite funding, the committee is unable to do all that it wants to do.
 
Also speaking at the final, Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) President, Uyi Akpata, said from the statistics, there is a significant improvement in the cricket team’s performance, as they have shown exceptional growth with marked improvements in key performance metrics. He said last year, the average score was about 110, but this year it went up to about 150, which means that the teams are beginning to learn how to play the T20 game.