4th MNCA Superplate TournamentRCA overwhelm RULE by 76 runs for sixth straight victory, become runaway Group A leaders

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 26 : RCA, Lilong prevailed over RULE, Meitram by 76 runs for the 6th straight Group A victory and assured themselves of top of the table finish in the 4th MNCA Superplate Tournament at Moijing Public Ground, Thoubal. The result also meant that RCA qualified for the semi-finals.
Put in to bat first, RCA erected 226/7 runs in 30 overs thanks to half century from Syed Hussain and Md Alfash before bowling out RULE for 150 runs in 28.5 overs riding on Zamir Khan (3/32) and Illiyas (2/10) for the 76 run victory.
RCA had a bright start to their innings with Syed Hussain and Md Alfash taking on RULE bowlers with ease and forged a remarkable 142 run partnership for the first wicket before Syed Hussan fell to Nongthombam Sarojkumar for 85 runs in the fourth delivery of the 21st over.
Five balls later, Alfash holed out to Sanathoi Sanjenbam off Jay Singh's bowling for 52 runs.
Aziz Mirza 28 and Naesh Hussain 27 also made significant contributions in the RCA's innings that saw N Sarojkumar return with the best bowling figures of 2/42 as Nepram Richer, Leishangthem Bishorjit and Jay Singh chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Chasing 227 for the win, RULE had a stuttering start and slumped to 150 all out in 28.5 overs as Zamir Khan and Illiyas combined well to set up the batting collapse. Md Nasirshah Alam Nongjaimayum, Md Danish Khan and Md Alfash also picked a wicket apiece for RCA.
Syed Hussain who led the batting onslaught for RCA was adjudged player of the match.
Elsewhere at Model Hr Secondary School and Oriental College ground, TCMDC, Khangabok dashed AKSDO, Khangabok's semi-final hopes by securing a 19-run victory and ended their Group B campaign with three wins.
TCMDC opted to bat first but were bowled out for 130 runs in 33.4 overs but defended their lowly total by dismissing AKSDO for 111 runs thanks to a concerted bowling effort.
Sarangthem Priyobarta, who scored a fighting 79-ball 58 and Takhellambam Nganba Meitei 25 off 65 balls were the only double digit run getters for TCMDC as Saikhom Kaiku (4/24), Akash Laishram (3/17) and Rohit Laishram (2/21) wreaked havoc.
AKSDO batting department however failed horribly and only four batters- Akash 26, Sanayai 13, Samson 12 and S Kaiku 12  made meagre double digit scores before they slumped to 111 all out in 29.3 overs.
Suraj Kharibam (2/15) and Thongam Nganthoi (2/31) shared four wickets for TCMDC as Rain Urikhinbam, N Arbin and L Valindra picked a wicket apiece.
Sarangthem Priyobarta who struck a half century was adjudged player of the match.
Earlier yesterday, Blue Hawk, Khurai Lamlong defeated CDCC, Sagolband Salam Leikai by 15 runs in a Group A match at Model Hr Sec and Oriental College Playground while KASC, Khomidok defeated PSC, Khuyathong by 53 runs in a Group B match at Moijing Public Ground.