MNCA Elite TourneyPTRC post 26-run victory over SCCC to end league campaign unbeaten

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 27 : PTRC-Patsoi Part IV capped their 7th MNCA W Prahlada and W Ramananda Elite Tournament campaign with a 26-run victory over SCCC-Singjamei Thongam Leikai to finish on top with an unassailable tally of 21 points.
It was the 10th victory for the Patsoi team in as many as 11 matches which included an abandoned match and will play the second placed team in the final. On the other hand, it was the 7th loss of the Singjamei team who continue to languish in the relegation zone with just 5 points and will need a win in the last game to avoid relegation.
PTRC, who elected to bat first, posted a competitive total of 178 runs for 8 in allotted 30 overs at Khangabok Part III Cherapur Public Ground and restricted SCCC to 148 for 8 for the 10th victory in the tourney.
PTRC had a slugging start to their innings and were reduced to 19-3 in 6 overs as Kh Santosh (10) and Gemson Mutum (8-Ball duck) fell to Rakeshwor Republic Hidang-mayum and Ngariyanbam Johnson was caught behind the wicket off the bowling of Sandeep Chakraborty.
Jotin Singh Pheiroijam however took batting charge and blazed off 44 off 40 balls on the back of 7 fours and 1 six before he holed out to Oinam Pradeep of the bowling of Basant for the 6th wicket.
From 87 for 6 in 16.4 overs, Loitongbam Shitaljit and RK Rex forged a fine partnership of 54 runs off 58 balls  before Shitaljit was undone by Sandeep Chakraborty for the 7th wicket as the scoreboard read 141.
RK Rex, who struck 1 four and smacked 3 sixes, also fell to Sandeep Chakraborty for 44 runs (off 39 balls) before Rohit Aribam (9) and Bishorjit Konthoujam (3) finished off the innings at 174 for 8.
Sandeep Chakraborty returned with the best figures of 3/29 in 6 overs as Rakeshwor Republic and Basant finished with two-wicket hauls.
In reply, SCCC saw its batters fell in regular interval forcing them to carry on the innings well behind the asking run rate and had to end their chase at 148 for 8 despite a positive late unbeaten stand between Phijam Langamba (38 off 45 balls) and Rakeshwor Republic (31 off 42 balls).
Jotin Pheiroijam piled early pressure by removing the first and third wickets cheaply and RK claimed the second wicket to make it 17 for 3 in 6 overs. Khaidem Joyraj then further devastated the line up by bowling out Sandeep Chakraborty (18), Laishram Ronson (4) and Lishan Khaidem (5) on the trot and to return with the best figures of 3/15 in 6 overs. Gemson Mutum and Khwairakpam Rinju also managed a wicket to leave SCCC struggling at 74 for 8 in 18 overs.
Pheiroijam Jotin who produced an allround performance was named man of the match.
Tomorrow's matches
CRAU vs CYCLONE at Khangabok Part III Cherapur Public Ground
Blue Hawk vs Model Club at Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium
Al-Ameen vs CHAMP at Model Hr Sec and Oriental College ground