READY TO RISE: Swamibapa hope gods of cricket will be on their side when they face Sikh Union

Wicket Keeper Morris Ouma of Swamibapa Cricket Club awaits for a delivery as Stray Lion's bats man Praveen Kumar anticipates a shot during Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association 2015/16 league season at Nairobi Gymkana on Sunday, Feb 14, 2016. PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD.

Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) Twenty20 champions Swamibapa will be hoping to exorcise the demons that have seen them fall twice to Sikh Union in their last two encounters. The Swamis play away to Sikh Union this afternoon with the hope of ending their losing streak to the Forest Road-based side in a return leg match.

Currently second on the Super Division log with 25 points, seven behind leaders Stray Lions, Swamibapa will be seeking to rise above their seven wicket first round loss to Sikh Union. The Swamis fell to Sikh Union by four wickets in the finals of the Harilal Shah Memorial Tournament late last year.

Tomorrow, Swamibapa host fifth-placed Nairobi Gymkhana at Nairobi Jaffery Oval, Lavington. Gymkhana will entertain Cutchi Leva at their Forest Road home today. Swamibapa won five out seven first leg matches but lost two to Sikh Union and Stray Lions. Gymkhana were not as lucky and have won three and lost four.

Swamibapa have struggled with the bat in past assignments and their batsmen will have to rise to the occasion and lead their side to a conquest. So far, opening batsman Alex Obanda has been impressive with veteran Lameck Onyango impressing with the ball.

Unbeaten Stray Lions will go to Nairobi Club to take on struggling Kongonis today before hosting bottom-placed Cutchi Leva at Peponi School, Ruiru. Lions have been in a class of their own winning all their matches as well as securing four bonus points to put their tally at 32.

Kongonis have only managed two wins and risk being locked out of the semi-finals if they don’t up their game in the second round. They are sixth on the standings with eight points.

Former titleholders Kanbis will be hoping to bounce back from their last weekend’s losses at home to Lions and Swamibapa. They host Ruaraka at their Eastleigh High School Grounds today and will be at Nairobi Club tomorrow to clash with Kongonis.

Kanbis had a good start winning five matches before a disastrous last weekend that saw them gain five bonus points. The 20 points from their victories, together with the five bonus points would have tied them with Swamibapa on 25 but they were docked four points are now third on the log with 21.

Struggle best describes Ruaraka’s campaign that has left them second from the wrong side of the table with three points from a single win. After facing Kanbis, they will welcome Sikh Union at their Ruaraka Grounds tomorrow.