PCA COLTS, MRF Chennai enter semi finals

Chandigarh, Sept 24 (UNI) MRF Chennai defeated Rajasthan Cricket Association by 37 runs in a high- scoring match here today and entered the semi-finals of the 14th All-India JP Atray Cricket Tournament.

MRF won the toss and elected to bat. They were given a flying start of 108 runs by their openers Deniel Manohar (30) and Swapnil Asnodkar (50) who in 21.2 overs. Former Test player Venu Gopal Rao failed with the bat scoring just 8 runs. Then came a 134-run third wicket stand between Virat Kohli (90, 13x4s) and Saurabh Tiwari (48, 4x4s and 1x6). MRF innings finally ended at 311 for 8 in 50 overs. Afroz Khan (3 for 61) and V.Chanwaria (2 for 29) were the main wicket takers for RCA.

Replying RCA were all out 274 in 48.1 overs. Siddharth Joshi (47, 8 x4s), Rajesh Bishnoi (32, 4x4s and 2x6s), Afroz Khan (42, 2x4s and 2x6s), Vinod Chanwaria (67, 4x4s and 3x6s) were the main scorers for RCA. Srikanth Wagh (5 for 59) and Venu Gopal Rao (2 for 34) shared the spoils for MRF Chennai. MRF won by 37 runs.

Brief scores : MRF: 311 for 8 in 50 overs (Virat Kohli 90, Saurav Tiwari 98, Swapnil Asnodkar 50, D. Manohar 30, Afroz Khan 3 for 61, V Chanvaria 2 for 29). RCA: 274 all out in 48.1 overs (Vinod Chanvaria 67, Siddharth Joshi 47, Afroz Khan 42, Rajesh Bishnoi 32, Srikanth Wagh 5 for 59, Venu Gopal 2 for 34). MRF: 4 points. Man of the Match: Srikanth Wagh.

At the St John's School, MPCA defeated LIC by seven wickets. After winning the toss MPCA decided to field and soon had the LIC batsmen on the back -foot by claiming 4 wickets in seven overs for just 20 runs. Rahat Elahi (36) and Brij Mohan (33) took the total to 140 in 40.5 overs. Rajesh Khanozia had a dream spell of 10 overs conceding just 28 runs and captured 7 wickets . Ankit Sharma was the other successful bowler claiming 3 for 22.

MPCA scored 141 for 3 in 39.2 overs. Rahul Bakshi remained unbeaten on 44 while Brijesh Tomar scored 30 runs. MPCA won by seven wickets.

Brief scores : LIC: 140 all out in 40.5 overs (Rahat Elahi 36, Brij Mohan 23 Rajesh Kanojia 7 for 28, Ankit Sharma 3 for 22). MPCA: 141 for 3 in 39.2 overs (Rahul Baxshi 44 not out , Brijesh Tomar 30).

MPCA: 5 points, including one bonus. LIC: -1 point. Man of the Match: Rajesh Kanojia.

At the PCA Stadium in Mohali PCA Colts defeated Air India by one wicket and entered the semi-finals. PCA Colts won the toss and elected to field. Right arm pacer Varinder Singh rattled the opposition by claiming the first four wickts for 19 runs of just 9 overs. Southpaw Ankit Chavan with an unbeaten 51 held the innings together and Air India finally folded up for 163 of 47.2 overs.

Sarabjit Ladda (3 for 21) was the other main wicket-taker for PCA Colts.

Replying PCA Colts scored 164 for 9 in 37.5 overs. They were helped by Sunny Sohal (55, 8x4s) and Ravi Inder Singh (33).

Siddharth Triwedi (5 for 42) was the main wicket taker for Air India).

Brief scores : Air India: 163 in 47.2 overs (Ankeet Chavan 51 not out, Varinder singh 4 for 19, Sarabjit Ladda 3 for 21).

PCA Colts: 164 for 9 in 37.5 overs (Sunny Sohal 55, Ravi Inder 33, Siddharth Trivedi 5 for 42) Man of the Match: Barinder Singh. PCA Colts: 5 points including bonus. Air India: -1 point.

Tomorrow's fixtures: Tripura vs ONGC at DAVSSS. MCA Colts vs ITC Delhi at Sector 3 Panchkula. PCC vs BPCL Mumbai at PCA Stadium in Mohali. All matches from 9.30 a.m.

UNI