Having withdrawn from the NPCA Twenty-20 tournament to focus on development and playing for the love of the game rather than endless competition, things have gone pretty much to plan for Kongonis towards the end of 2007. The development program now has over 50 Kenyan youngsters taking part with matches, transport and equipment paid for by international fund raising efforts organised by Kongonis. As well as the matches detailed below (an excerpt from the Kongoni's end of year report, reproduced with their kind permission), the youngsters have also played full all day matches against Hillcrest Secondary School, and a combined Independant Secondary Schools XI.

Kongonis December report:

As 2007 closes we could not have brought a fine year to an end in better fashion than with an away game at the coast against Mombasa Sports Club. Dispensing with attached reports (due to several updates being required) I have summarized the matches played during the past month below. In addition to these matches a 3 match series has been taking place between the Kongonis ‘Greens’ led by Dominic Wesonga and the Kongonis ‘Maroons’ led by Lucas Oluoch. The Maroons lead 1-0 with the remaining matches being played this week.

December 16th v Mombasa Sports Club - 45 overs: A fine win by 8 wickets was built around two outstanding performances. First – by the ageless off-spinner Phil Toye and then the young tyro Seren Waters. Having lost the toss we took to the field and a keenly contested opening hour had the honours about even with the home side at 145/4. The spinners were very much in evidence on a hot morning and it was Phil Toye – bowling unchanged in a 9 over spell – Richard Collins and Seren Waters who then chipped away determinedly at the middle order. In particular Phil Toye’s 5/25 set up the victory with his excellent spell. He gave little away and some outstanding wicket keeping by Hugo Norman – celebrating the award of his cap (see pic attached) from Chairman Dave Waters – as well as some brilliant catching from Paul Marshall and Bill Sawyer saw the MSC innings close at 206. With a strong batting lineup the Kongonis fancied themselves to overhaul the target and indeed they did – but in what style!! With Maji (47 – his score not age!))and Seren opening the innings they set about the bowling in an aggressive 97 run partnership. Aruna Amithanayagam (25) then carried on the good work before Paul Marshall saw things through. But it was a gem of an innings – 125 not out – from Seren that shone like a beacon throughout the afternoon to give him the title of Man of the Match. Mombasa Sports Club – 206: Kongonis 207/2. (Footnote – The moment of the tour was being shown an old cricketing photo in the MSC pavilion with Tim Plumridge (Kongonis UK Committee) very much to the fore and looking dapper with a full head of dark hair!!)

December 3rd v Florida HS (South Africa) – 25 overs: The Kongonis colts’ senior team registered a 4 wickets win over visiting Florida high school from South Africa. After losing the opening match by 102 runs the colts led by Peter Kituku took to the field knowing that they needed to start well – and this they did with Dominic Wesonga and Newton Muthee bowling with purpose to reduce the visitor’s much vaunted batting line-up to 75/3 inside the first hour. Shem Obado (left arm spin) and Paul Anjere carried on the good work before Dominic returned and to close out the innings. Shem (39*) then took control with the bat and supported by Peter Kituku (17); young Emmanuel Bundi (14) and Newton Muthee (13) took the Kongonis home for victory. Florida HS 123/6; Kongonis Colts 124/6.

December 4th v Kenya Ladies XI) – 40 overs : The Kongonis U16’s recorded an impressive 182 run win over the national Ladies XI preparing for an East African tournament. Emmanuel Bundi (54) lead the run feast with a hard hitting half century and the rest of the batsmen then put the ladies bowling attack to the sword as Ken Owino (46); Emmnauel Juma (32); Martin Okoth (29) and Michael Shikoli (21) all demonstrated their growing capabilities. This impressive total was never in danger of being overhauled as William Ruongoh led the attack and with wickets falling regularly the Ladies were dismissed well short of the target. Kongonis U 16 260; Kenya Ladies XI 78.