KOZHIKODE: M.H. Devdhar’s unbeaten 96-run defiance could not help Baroda save the game as Kerala eased past their opponents with a 133-run victory into the semifinals of the C.K Nayudu under-25 tournament held at Vadodara on Tuesday.
This is the first time that a Kerala team has reached the semifinals of an all-India tourney. Resuming from the overnight score of 293 /6, Kerala tail-end were able to put on 33 more runs to end their second innings for 326 runs and post a target of 306.
The visitors had a terrible chase as Kerala bowlers plucked wickets frequently. Only Devdhar and Kamran M Shaikh (36) were able to find two-digit scores. Baroda ended their fight for 174 runs to give Kerala lads its first semifinal entry in history.
Abhishek Mohan was the pick of the bowler as he scalped 3 wickets for 38 runs in the second innings. Earlier in the first innings, Abhishek plucked four crucial wickets of Baroda. At present, the medium pacer is the highest wicket taker in the CK Nayudu trophy tournament with 35 wickets.
“It was a great match for us. We had set an aim and we are happy that we fulfilled it. Everything came right and we will be continuing our present form in the next match to be held at Thalassery. It will be an advantage for us to play in home turf,” said Balachandran the coach of the team
Brief scores: Kerala 109 in 41.2 overs (Akshay Kodoth 39, Lukman Meriwala 4/46) & 326 in 99 overs (Mohammed Azharuddeen 79 not out, Jafar Jamal 61, V. Vinod 73) bt Baroda 128 in 36 overs (Abhishek Mohan 4/33) & 174 in 66 overs (M H Devdhar 96 not out, Abhishek Mohan 3/38)
Kerala eves in basketball semifinals
DC CORRESPONDENT
KOZHIKODE: Kerala women defeated Southern Railway, 72-62, and entered the semifinals of the 28th Federation Cup National Basketball Championship at Ahmadabad on Tuesday. Kerala are placed in the second position in Group ‘A’ to enter the last four
Jeena PS top-scored for the winners with 37 points followed by captain Stephy Nixon with 15 points. For Railway, Neena Hareendran netted 15 points.
Kerala will meet Chhattisgarh in the semifinal. However, in men’s category Kerala had an ignominious exit as they lost their third consecutive group match. Services defeated Kerala 88-44.
RESULTS: Group matches: Men: Services (Army Red) (Gopal Ram 22, Mayur Bhat 18, Abhishek Y P 16) Bt Kerala (Central Excise) (Nikhil K R 10, Bony Mathew 8, Shinumon Augustin 8) 88-44
Women: Kerala (Jeena P Skaria 34, Stephy Nixon 15, Neenumol P S 14) Bt Railway (Neena Hareendran15, R Alagu 13, Raja Priya Dharshini 10)(Southern Railways) 62-72 (OT 1-11)
Rosary makes last 4 in football
DC CORRESPONDENT
KOCHI: Rosary Higher Secondary School Goa defeated Government Model Higher Secondary School Thrissur, 2-1 to reach the semifinal of the 13th Mar Athanasius Trophy inter-school football tournament in Aluva on Tuesday.
An early strike in the ninth minute by Vishal Fernandes and another goal in the 36th minute by Alson Fernandes gave the Goan school team two-goal advantage at the close of first half.
Though the government school team regrouped in the second half for a comeback after Bijesh T. Balan’s goal in 64 th minute, Goan defenders parried away Thrissur teams' efforts with brilliancy to end the game in their favour.
Galaxy CC beats Sudharma Apex
DC CORRESPONDENT
KOZHIKODE: Galaxy Cricket Club registered a 39 runs victory over Sudharma Apex Cricket Club Palakkad in the 4th President’s Trophy all-Kerala T20 tournament at Perinthalmanna on Tuesday.
Batting first, Galaxy posted a target of 96 runs in the stipulated 20 overs. In reply Galaxy were all out for 56 runs. For the winners, Ramesh shone with a bowling figure of 5/8. In the second match, Jolly Rovers Perinthalmanna defeated MES by 66 runs.
