SPORTS

Spice XI, HFCL XI emerge winners
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, February 20
Spice XI and HFCL XI recorded victories in contrasting styles in their semi-final matches in the inaugural Punjab Telecom Operators Friendship Cup Cricket Tournament at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Sector 3 here today.

Spice XI snatched an exciting four-run victory against a never-say-die Tata XI in a hard-fought semi-final encounter. Later in the second semi-final, HFCL XI carved out an easy eight-wicket triumph against a depleted BSNL XI.

Spice XI –Tata XI semi-final match witnessed many ups and downs. Tata XI have to blame themselves for defeat as they were penalised for one over for slow over-rate. Consequently, they had to chase 111 runs for victory in 24 overs.

Tata XI started on a dismal note having lost three quick wickets for just 13 runs. Aneesh (21) and Vikas (16) propped up their innings with a 33-run valuable partnership for the fifth wicket. Vinay Bhan also contributed a defiant 22. Inept batting by other batsmen led to their doom as Tata XI could score only 106 for 8 in 24 overs. They required 10 runs in the last over. Rubal (2) and Om Prakash (11) remained not out as Tata XI ran out of overs.

Spice medium pacer Nitin (3 for 15) and spinner Tapas Acharya (2 for 17) were responsible for denying Tata XI a place in the final.

Earlier, Spice XI were given a solid start by their captain Rajil Sawhney (15) and Vivek Pathania (16) as they put on 37 runs for the first wicket. However, Tata XI struck and claimed six quick wickets for just 69 runs. However, Sanjeev (22) and Vivek Pathania (16) were associated in a 36-run partnership for the seventh wicket and they carried the total to 107. Spice XI were all out for 110 in 24.3 overs.

Tata XI spinners Aneesh (3 for 25), Vikas Malhotra (3 for 4) and medium pacer Ashish Mishra (2 for 26) were the main wicket takers. Nitin of Spice XI was adjudged the Man of the Match..

Brief scores: Spice XI: 110 all out in 23.3 overs (Sanjeev 22, Rajil Sawhney 15, Vivek Pathania 16, Sumit Mahajan 15, Sumit 15, Aneesh 3 for 25, Ashish Mishra 2 for 26, Vikas Malhotra 3 for 4). Tata XI: 106 for 8 in 24 overs (Vinay Bhan 22, Aneesh 21, Vikas 16, Nitin 3 for 15, Tapas Acharya 2 for 17).

In the second match, BSNL XI were dismissed for 84 in 23.5 overs. It was possible due to a deadly spell by Rahul Joshi. Joshi sent back Anurag (bowled for 7), Gaurav (lbw 0), Vivek Dua (bowled 0), SK Chopra (bowled 6) and Naresh Dhingra (bowled 4). He captured five wickets in 2.5 overs and conceded just eight runs. Amit Bhardwaj got two wickets for 20 runs.

The highlight of BSNL XI was a defiant unbeaten 28 by Indu Chaudhary who hit two fours and kept one end blocked after coming at number 3. Neeraj (10) and Punjab Ranji Trophy player Ankur Kakkar (17) gave Indu some support.

Chasing a modest total, HFCL XI’s Rahul Joshi started with a bang by hitting the first two deliveries to the boundary. He remained not out with a brilliant 46 which was studded with six fours and one six off Ankur Kakkar. Opener Deepak Gill contributed 15 runs as HFCL XI achieved target by scoring 86 for 2 in 17 overs. Rahul Joshi was declared the Man of the Match.

Brief scores: BSNL XI: 84 all out in 23.5 overs (Neeraj 10, Ankur Kakar 17, Indu Chaudhary not out 28, Amit Bhardwaj 2 for 20, Rahul Joshi 5 for 8). HFCL XI: 86 for 2 in 17 overs (Deepak 15, Rahul Joshi 46 not out).

1,200 Yadavindrians take part in race
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, February 20
More than 1,200 students of the Yadavindra Public School, Mohali, tested their endurance when they participated in the annual cross country race which was held today.

The event began at 9 am and the students drawn from five different houses participated in the event.

The boys were divided in the categories of above-16, under-16, under-14, under-12 and under-10; while the girls participated in the above-15, under-15, under-13 and under-11 categories.

The distance ranged from 1.5 km to 7 km. The runners were followed by marshals and various check points were put up. A medical team was also at hand. The route of the race took the participants through Mohali and some sectors of Chandigarh.

Dr H.S. Dhillon, Principal, YPS, said the basic idea was to provide each student of the school an opportunity to take part in athletic events so that they could develop the habit of keeping themselves physically fit.

He said from February 22 the school will organise a six day inter-house athletic event.

The Milkha Singh trophy was won by Abhideep Singh (Tagore House) and P.T. Usha trophy went to Jairoop (Patiala House). Patiala House stood first with 10,982 points; Aitchison House was second with 9,476 points, Ranjit House third with 9,418 points, Nalagarh House fourth with 9,033 with points and Tagore House fifth with 8,763 points.

Individual Results: Boys: Above-16: Abhideep Singh (Tagore House) 1, Ramandeep Singh (Tagore House) 2, Gurvinder Singh (Patiala House) 3.

Under–16: Mandeep (Patiala House) 1, Gurjinder Singh (Nalagarh House) 2, Harkirat (Aitchison House) 3.

Under-14: Nripjit Singh Saini (Nalagarh House) 1, Arshdeep

Singh Brar (Nalagarh House) 2, Pearl (Patiala House) 3.

Under-12: Ankit Saini (Nalagarh House) 1, Kanwar Suraj Pratap (Nalagarh House) 2, Amrinder (Tagore House) 3.

Under-10: Mridul (Patiala House) 1, Siddharth (Tagore

House) 2, Shreyak (Tagore House) 3.

Girls: Above-15: Jairoop (Patiala) 1, Manpreet (Aitchison House) 2, Sanam (Ranjit House) 3.

Under-15: Aanchal Bajwa (Nalagarh House) 1, Vasundra (Patiala House) 2, Dhriti (Patiala House) 3.

Under-13: Harkiran (Tagore House) 1, Sreffi (Nalagarh) 2, Seonju (Patiala House) 3.

Under-11: Gurleen (Patiala House) 1, Jaskiran (Aitchison House) 2, Karman (Ranjit House) 3.

Sunny wins 4-wheeler Autocross event
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, February 20
Reigning champion Sunny Sidhu again won Four-wheeler category event by clocking 3:3.47 seconds in the Indian Oil Flat Track and Auto Cross held today at the Circus grounds, Sector 17. Organised by Chandigarh Motor Sports Association (CMSA), the event evoked a response from participants and onlookers who gathered to watch the action on wheels. The events were held in car, jeep and two wheeler catgeory with local cum novice category and open category.

In the open category of two wheelers, it was Nipender Jassy who secured first place. In 1350 cc car category, Sandeep Sharma won the pride of place by clocking 3:07.00 seconds. The participants had came from parts of North India. Earlier the one day event was inaugurated by Mr SK Sandhu, Finance Secretary, UT while the prize distribution was done by World rally champion Karamjit Singh of Malaysia.

Results: Gypsy category: Sunny Sidhu1, timings:3:03.47 seconds, Suresh Rana2, timings-3:10.00 seconds Harpreet 3, timings-3:11.31 seconds.

Car category;1350 cc; Sandeep Sharma1, Timings-3:07.00 seconds, Mathai Philips 2, timings-3:07.97 seconds, Jasmohan Singh3, 3:13.15 seconds Two wheeler category; Local:Ranjeet Singh1, Vinay Thakur 2, Yogesh Lakhani 3.

Open category; Nipender Jassy 1, Rajveer Kumar 2, Abhishek Mishra 3.

Bedi Club outplays Minerva Club
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, February 20
Bedi Cricket Club outplayed Minerva Cricket Club by six wickets in the Amartex Cricket Club Tournament played here today at the JR Institute of Cricket Technology, Barwala, near Panchkula. Earlier, Bedi Cricket Club skipper Arpinder Bedi won the toss and put Minerva Club to bat first. With this win, Bedi Club leads in Pool B with eight points.

Brief scores: Minerva CC:142 all out in 39 overs (Shiva Mehta 30, Rajesh Vaid 33, Deepak Lohatia 22 n.o., Kailash Sanwal 3 for18).

Bedi CC; Madan Lal 31, Ajay Disodia 32, Rakesh Purang 23 n.o., Pawan Grewal 22 n.o.

Saurabh, Kamlesh best athletes

Saurabh Behl among boys and Kamlesh among girls were adjudged the best athletes in the 12th Annual Athletic meet of the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, held here today at the Sports Complex, Sector 46. Mr Gurbir Singh Sandhu, President, Punjab Rifle Shooting Association, chief guest, gave away the prizes. A total of 43 events were held in this two-day meet. The closing ceremony also had Bhangra performed by students of GMCH.

UT Women team

Ms Soni Bhandari of Panjab University Campus will lead UT Women team in the 13th Senior National Women Football Championship to be held at Goa from February 22. According to Mr Ravinder Talwar, Principal, Chandigarh Football Association, the team is Rinki Sharma, Ayushi Kapania, Nidhi Sharma, Ritu Gupta, Ritu, Harpinder, Kanwaljit Kaur, Punita, Deepa, Poonam, Rekha, Kamlesh, Shelly Sharma, Samina, Anchal, Pinky Sharma, Jyotsna, Anjana and Anjana Dogra. RK Sharma and CP Malik will accompany the team as manager and coach.

Kabaddi tournament

Saheri village downed Ballomajra in the 35 kg section in the kabaddi in the 13th Baba Janki Das Memorial Kabaddi Cup Tournament held today at Ballomajra village grounds near Mohali.

In other matches of the day, in 45 kg, Charbarh village defeated Kargali village, in 50kg,Charbarh beat Ballomajra, in 55 kg, Ballomajra A defeated Matorha village while in 60 kg, Ballomajra ‘A’ beat Ballomajra ‘B’.

Punjab AG win

A one-day cricket match was played in aid of tsunami victims by officers of AG, Punjab, and AG, Haryana, at the Sector 3 Sports Complex, Panchkula. The team of AG, Punjab, defeated AG, Haryana, by 45 runs. Mr Nand Lal, Accountant General made unbeaten 28 runs and also bagged five wickets. He was declared the man of the match. The funds thus collected will be sent to the National Relief Fund.