Plate Tourney : NAPSA complete Group stage sweep, SSU squeeze through semis

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 29 : NAPSA became the outright Group A winners in the 7th MNCA Plate Tournament with an 8-wicket thrashing of YAC-Yaiskul today as SSU-Singjamei Kakwa beat IBSA by 74 runs to pip OSCAR on Net Run Rate and finish Group B runners up.
At Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium, SSU cleared their doubts of making it to the semis as they posted a total of 185 runs for 9 wickets courtesy half centuries from Sougrakpam Douglas (66 not out) and Dingku G (57) and skittled out IBSA for 74 runs for their fifth win in their penultimate league match.
SSU had a sloppy start after opting to bat first and saw 6 of their batters fall in regular intervals. From 65 for 6, Sougrakpam Douglas and Dingku G resurrected the innings and set up a 93-run partnership for the 7th wicket.
IBSA's Pravesh (3/40) and Rajababu (3/32) had the major bulk of wickets as Karan Prajabati returned with the bowling figures of 2/31.
In reply, IBSA had a more uneasy start and were reduced to 16 for 3 in 5.1 overs before Heromen Ningthoujam (38) and Robinson Sanasam (39) stitched together an 84 run partnership for the fourth wicket.
 Deepankar Sharma then broke the partnership by removing Heromen as IBSA reached 100 mark and went on to pick two more wickets including Robinson's wicket to return with the bowling figures of 3/20 in 4 overs.
Sougrakpam Douglas also scalped three to set up the IBSA collapse at 111 runs as the last batter had to retire hurt.
Elsewhere at Model Hr Sec and Oriental College Ground, NAPSA clinched their 7th straight victory to enter the semi-final in style.
YAC chose to bat first after winning the toss but were bundled out for a paltry total of 71 runs in 17.4 overs as Heisnam Boney ran through the batting line up with a rare 6-wicket haul (6/7 in 3.4 overs).
O Kishan was the highest run getter for YAC in their innings which also saw Rocky Yumnam, Nepram Richer and Sorokhaibam Yoihenba claiming a wicket each.
In reply, Mitamnganba Chingtham and Monjit Loushambam scored identical 31 to set up the easy win within 13.2 overs.
Heisnam Boney who shone with his fierce bowling was adjudged man of the match.
With today's result, the semi-final line up has been completed. NAPSA will play SSU in the first semi-final match while NCA will play AKSDO in the second semi-final match. The dates are however yet to be announced.