10th MNCA Elite Trophy ESU end losing run as RCA, YWC-L extend winning run to two games

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 15 : ESU, Wangkhei Palace Compound ended their two game losing run as RCA, Lilong and YWC, Langthabal (YWC-L) extended their winning run to two games in the ongoing 10th MNCA W Prahlada and W Ramananda Elite Trophy 2025-26.
At Lairenjam Public Ground, ESU who played out a tie with KCC, Kongba Bazar and lost in the hands of REYS, Khwai Nagamapal Lamabam Leikai snapped their winless run by defeating CRAU, Khamnam Bazar by 6 wickets.
CRAU gathered 206 runs for 6 wickets (in the allotted 40 overs) after choosing to bat first but ESU fought their way to the target with 6 wickets and 2 overs left to spare.
Ayekpam Rakesh shone with a 67-ball 57 followed by Lamabam Jotin 44 off 42 for CRAU in the first innings that saw ESU’s L Henary claiming two wickets (2/21) and three others claiming a wicket apiece.
In reply, ESU faced early jitters and slumped to 47/3 in 9.5 overs before M Bimananda anchored with slow but significant 91-ball 76 to seal the victory with Tenyson 22 not out off 20 balls.
 Sagolshem Roshan also made a significant contribution of 61 runs off 73 balls including 4 fours and 1 six and was instrumental in changing the complexion of the game as he gathered 112 runs with Bimananda for the fourth wicket stand.
For CRAU, Takhellambam Kala returned with the best figures of 2/33 as two others managed a wicket apiece.
Bimananda who carried the game for ESU, was adjudged player of the match.
Elsewhere at Model Hr Sec and Oriental College ground, RCA, who defeated YWC-L in the opening game, returned to winning ways by securing a 5-wicket win over KCC.
RCA rode on Makakmayum Aziz Mirza’s four wicket haul (4/35) to bowl out toss winners KCC for a lowly total of 149 runs in 36 overs before Syed Hussain scored an unbeaten 92 off 95 balls to take the team to the target in 33.4 overs with 5 wickets left to spare.
K Mranojit 49 off 81 balls and N Arbin 30 of 41 balls were the leading run scorers for KCC today as Aziz Mirza ran through their line up with the assistance of Illiyas (2/21) and Naesh Hussain (2/24).
In response, RCA started wobbly but Syed Hussain steadied the innings by forging 86 runs for the third wicket with Zamir Khan 20 off 39. He remained unbeaten on 92 to set up the victory with Md Nasirshah Alam Nongjaimayum 10 not out off 18.
Sunil Salam (2/19), Tayenjam Tomba (2/20), and G Dingku (1/23) were among the wickets for KCC in a lost cause.
At Moijing Public Ground, YWC-L bundled out toss winners REYS for 149 runs in 37.4 overs courtesy of concerted bowling attack led by Maibam Subash (4/40) before Heisnam Manikanta smashed a 72-ball 77 to help YWC-L reach the target in 37.3 overs with 4-wicket left in hand.
For REYS, Sohail Akram top-scored with 35 off 49 as Saddam Ahmed Shah and Md Shamir Khan added 23 runs each.
As Maibam Subash collected four scalps, Yumnam Chingkhei Nganba (2/22) and Pukhrambam Prasantamani (2/21) shared another four crucial wickets as Manikanta and S Robinson chipped in a wicket apiece.
In reply, YWC slumped to 18/3 as Sohail Akram (2/22) struck early, but Manikanta shouldered a huge responsibility to revive the chase by hitting 6 fours and 5 fours on the way to his 72-ball 77 before Maibam Subash 10 off 25 balls and Yumnam Chingkhei Nganba 12 not out off 25 finished off the chase.
Md Basir Rahman 2/19 also picked two wickets for REYS in this innings.
Manikanta who picked one wicket and led the chase with a half century, was adjudged player of the match.