1st MNCA U-23 Men's Cricket Tournament : Boocker, Gunggung grab 6 each in RULE, PTCC's comprehensive victories
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 24 2024: Medium pacers Kangjam Boocker and Moirangthem Gunggung took centrestage with six wicket hauls at Lairenjam Public Ground and Moijing Public Ground as RULE, Meitram and PTCC, Patsoi Part III scripted comfortable group stage victories in the ongoing 1st Haobam Biramangal Singh Memorial U-23 Men's Cricket Tournament.

At Lairenjam Public Ground, RULE scored a comfortable 136 run victory against ESU courtesy of Boocker who also added a quickfire 30 off 16 balls.

After winning the toss, RULE opted to bat first and posted a modest total of 205/ 8 in the allotted 40 overs courtesy of Jay Singh's slow but significant 56 off 71 balls, RK Herachandra's 54-ball 46 and Boocker's 30 .

Chasing 206 for the win, ESU started wobbly and slumped to 69 all out within 29 overs as medium pacer Boocker Kangjam rattled their line up with the assistance of spinners - Rojit Angomcha (2/18 in 6 overs), Jay Singh (1/ 8 in 3 overs) and S Somokanta (1/1 in 2 overs) .

Only H Donba 13 and S Venus 12 were the double digit run getters for ESU before their chase ended on a dismal note.

Boocker who guided RULE to second straight victory was adjudged player of the match.

Meanwhile in the Group D match, medium pacer Moirangthem Gunggung picked 6 and added 34 to steer PTCC to a comprehensive 190 run victory against YPHUC.

Lalambung.

Toss winners PTCC rode on a half century from Moirangthem Dominic (43-ball 52; 10 fours) and notable contributions from L Anao 47, Mandingbam Andy 39, Paonam Champion 34 and M Gunggung 34 before they bowled out YPHU for 79 runs in 19.4 overs riding on Gunggung (6/12 in 7.4 overs) and Chingakham Nikhil (3/37 in 4 overs) .

For YPHUC, Irom Ishor (3/35) and Birbal Irom (3/59) shared three wickets each while Irom Sunny (2/11) and Konsam Mangal (2/33) shared four wickets before Ng Krishnakanta topscored with 15 for the team in the chase.

Gunggung who starred with both the bat and ball was adjudged player of the match.

Elsewhere at Model HSS and Oriental College ground, PCC, Mayai Koibi defeated THAU, Thangmeiband by 6 wickets for their first Group B win thanks to Takhelmayum Vikash all round performance.

THAU won the toss and elected to bat first but suffered a stiff resistance from PCC bowlers and slumped to a lowly total of 88 runs in 30.1 overs as M Lucky (3/17 in 5.1 overs), Takhelmayum Vikash (2/16), Th Lucky (2/ 8) and Pravin Kumai (2/7) put in a concerted bowling effort for PCC.

Hanjabam Diamond 33, P Hilbert 12 and Kh Shinoj 10 were the double digit run getters for THAU in their innings that saw three batters gd out on ducks.

In reply, T Vikash 30 not out and W Max 26 led the batting charge and steered PCC to the winning 94/4 in 18.5 overs.

Vikash was eventually adjudged player of the match.

In the Group D match staged at Khangabok Cherapur Public Ground, REYS, Nagamapal ended their two game losing streak by defeating IBSA, Yumnam Leikai by 19 runs.

REYS opted to bat first but were bundled out for 86 runs in 22.1 overs as IBSA bowlers- Rajababu (4/25) and K Nelson (4/30) wreaked havoc.

IBSA however failed to capitalise on their chances and collapsed at 67 within 20.5 overs in the chase as Kiran Laishram (5/22 in 8 overs) and Sapam Bikash (4/9 in 4.5 overs) ripped apart their batting orders with ease.

For REYS, Yungkham Romario on 23 was the highest run getter as Umar Sheikh 14, Rajababu 13 and Rahis Khan 10 led the IBSA scoring in a lost cause.

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