By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 11 : PCC, Mayaikoibi were crowned champions of the 5th MNCA U-16 Boys Naorem Rajninthou Memorial Trophy 2024-25 with a commanding 67-run victory against TRAU, Kwakeithel today at Khudeibam Lampak, Taothong (Lamsang).
Lucky Thokchom of PCC and Mutum Swabhiman of TRAU took centrestage today with both of them producing brilliant all-round performances before PCC emerged victorious.
PCC opted to bat first after winning the toss and amassed 211 runs thanks to notable contributions from Lucky Thokchom 41 off 23 balls (6 fours), Rojer Laishram 31 off 31 balls (4 fours), Maverick Wakambam 22 off 32 balls (4 fours) and Pebam Yoimayai 19 off 22 balls (3 fours).
Even as Mutum Swabhiman enjoyed a four-for (4/27) by conceding only 27 runs in his spell of 7 overs, the TRAU bowling departed conceded expensive 40 extras which helped PCC post an impressive total.
TRAU's Preethson Arubam (2/34) and Tyrus Chabungbam (2/45) also shared four PCC wickets as Ringku Moirangthem (1/37) and Treeny Arubam (1/21) chipped in a wicket apiece.
Chasing 212 for the victory, TRAU skipper Huiningshumbam Luching cheaply on a 3-ball duck in the first over to Lucky Thokchom who also went on to dismiss Ishorchandra Loitongbam (13) to reduce TRAU to 28/2 after 6.2 overs.
Lamnganba Nongmaithem also added teeth to the PCC bowling attack by removing Ch Tyrus 12 and Potsangbam Jeet 0 in the 2nd and the 5th deliveries of the 9th over to further reduce TRAU to 29/4.
Ziad Khan undone Brian Thoidingjam 1 for the fifth wicket in the 12th over before Mutum Swabhiman gave TRAU some hope by forging 51-runs with Preetson Arubam but the partnership broke as Preetson Arubam got run out for 34 runs.
TRAU slipped further to 107/7 as Ziad Khan bowled out Sushanta in the third delivery of the 25th over before Treeny Arubam was trapped lbw for the 8th wicket by Leishangthem Nelson.
Swabhiman held on even as the win was out of sight before he was dismissed for 43 runs by Rojer Laishram in the first delivery of the 33rd over. Lucky Thokchom then coolly bowled out Ringku Moirangthem in the 2nd delivery of the 34th over to dismiss TRAU 144 runs and returned with the best bowling figures of 3/23 for PCC.
PCC were eventually feted with a cash prize of Rs 40,000 along with certificates and a trophy while TRAU had to content with Rs 30,000 besides certificates and a trophy.
Mutum Swabhiman who shone throughout the tournament with his all-round performances (497 runs and 25 wickets in 7 innings) won three major individual prizes including man of the series carrying a cash reward of Rs 3,000; highest run scorer carrying a cash reward of Rs 2,500 and highest wicket taker carrying a cash reward of Rs 2,500. Man of the final match, Lucky Thokchom meanwhile received a cash prize of Rs 2,000 along with certificate and a trophy.
Brief Scores
PCC 211/10 in 34.1 overs (Lucky Thokchom 41, Rojer Laishram 31, Maverick Wakambam 22; Mutum Swabhiman 4/27, Preethson Arubam 2/34, Tyrus Chabungbam 2/45)
TRAU 144/10 in 33.2 overs (Mutum Swabhiman 43, Preethson Arubam 34, Ishorchandra Loitongbam 13; Lucky Thokchom 3/23, Lamnganba Nongmaithem 2/29, Ziad Khan 2/30)