The Gombe State U17 cricket teams, both male and female, emerged victorious in the Northeast Zonal Elimination held at the Pantami Stadium from January 26th to 27th. This triumph secures their place in the prestigious Nigeria Cricket Federation PwC National U17 Championship, marking the third consecutive zonal representation for the Gombe boys.
Fueled by past successes, the Gombe U17 boys were determined to repeat their achievement. They sent a strong message in their opening match, dominating Borno State with a commanding 112-run chase, winning by 88 runs. This victory propelled them to the final against Taraba, who previously defeated Bauchi with a decisive 7-wicket margin.
In the final, Gombe once again asserted their dominance, posting an impressive 140 runs within their 20 overs. Taraba faltered in response, falling short of the chase, and Gombe secured the zonal championship crown.
The Gombe U17 girls faced a less competitive scenario, as only Taraba presented themselves in the category.
Nevertheless, the Gombe girls demonstrated their skills, claiming victory with a confident 46-run chase in 16.1 overs. The third-place match saw Bauchi edge out Borno in a nail-biting encounter. After posting 147 runs, Bauchi barely held their breath as Borno threatened with 144 runs, ultimately securing a 3-run victory.
With their zonal triumphs, both Gombe State U17 teams earned the right to represent the Northeast in the upcoming National U17 Championship.
