By Jacob Ajom
For the second time within seven days, cricket enthusiasts in Nigeria witnessed the defeat of Ibeju Lekki Cricket Club by arch-rivals, Government College Ibadan Old Boys Cricket Club at the final of the 9th Express Discount Knockout Series, concluded at the prestigious Tafawa Balewa Cricket oval on Sunday. The victory ensured GCIOB retained the shield they first won last year.

The champions won the match by 21 runs to complete a back to back defeat of their biggest rivals, Ibeju Lekki CC 1.
The Seun  Odeku led side won the toss and chose to bat first scoring 203 runs  in 40 overs  for the loss of 9  wickets with Adegbola Kunle one of Nigeria’s brightest prospects in Cricket posting 60 runs  off  88 balls in 133 minutess  as he got support from his fellow team mates Gill Ramit and Okusanya Tayo  scored 38 runs  and 32 runs respectively.

Sean Phillips took 2 wickets for 18 runs in 3 overs while wicket keeper for the Nigerian national team, Ademola Onikoyi  accounted for 3 run_out in the  first  innings for ILCC I.

Second Innings  was left for Ibeju Lekki Cricket Club 1 to reach the 203 runs target set by their opponents but the duo of Adeoye Wale, Captain of the national team and former national team mate, Okusanya Tayo took 4 wickets and 2 wickets respectively to reduce the champions of the regular season to 182 runs in 40 overs for the loss of 9 wickets.

Jide Bejide topped the scoring for his side with 49 runs while the duo of Phillips Sean and  Olympio Seye contributed 36 and 33 runs  as they lost by 21 runs.