KCC, MPSC stroll to wins as Luwangpokpa T-20 Trophy quarterfinals set
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 16 2024:
KCC (Kongba) and MPSC (Manipur Central Jail) notched up comprehensive wins on their way to the quarterfinals while UCC, despite suffering a defeat, managed to qualify for the last eight in the 4th MNCA Luwangpokpa T-20 Trophy 2023-24 .
KCC ended their league-round campaign on a high note by thrashing MPA (Thounaojam) by 103 runs at Lairenjam Public Ground, Imphal.
Following the result, the Kongba side emerged as the Group B winners with 12 points from their seven matches.
They were level on points with second-placed YWC (Langthabal), but KCC finished atop Group B table by virtue of superior NRR.
Put in to bat, KCC scored 167/4 with contributions from Rohen Singh (59), Nongmaithem Dijaraj Singh (33), Keisham MranOjit Singh (27 not out), Thokchom Momocha Singh (13) and Keisham Bas-antakumar Singh (11 not out).
They then produced a disciplined bowling attack to stall MPA's run chase at 67/7 and secure an emphatic win enroute to the quarterfinals.
In their triumph, Keisham Basantakumar Singh, Singthoi Singh Nandeibam and Nameirakpam Arbin Singh each picked up 2 wickets while Tayenjam Tomba Singh took one.
MPA's chase saw only Ch Muhinikanta (19 not out) and Thongam Joychandra (12) get into double digits.
MPSC, on the other hand, outclassed YAC by 92 runs at Public Ground, Khangabok Part-Ill Cherapur, Thoubal.
Electing to bat, MPSC put up a total of 200/2 as Gelson Singh Thoudam shone with the bat, smashing an unbeaten 120 off 66 balls.
He was ably supported by Sarangthem Shangker Singh, who made 56 off 32 balls, and Soubam Kingson Singh (13 not out) .
In the process, MPSC lost a wicket each to Chumthao Dk and Abocha Laishram.
In reply, YAC faltered in their chase and ended up managing just 108/8.For MPSC, Gelson Singh Thoudam led the scalping with a haul of 3 wickets, followed by Oinam Rojit Singh, who claimed 2 wickets, as Maibam Bijoykumar Singh, Indraban S Koijam and Elangbam Johnson Singh chipped in with one wicket apiece in their win.
With the result, MPSC finished at the top of Group C with 14 points from their seven matches while UCC (Uripok Khaidem Leikai) were runners-up with 10 points.
In their last league match, UCC suffered a one-wicket defeat to FORCE at Model Hr Secondary & Oriental College Ground, Imphal on Tuesday.
However, they still managed to secure second place in Group C with 10 points which ensured their place in the quarterfinals.
The day also saw KASC beat PSC by 69 runs, but both teams failed to qualify for the knockout round.
The quarterfinal fixtures (on January 18, 2024) pit WYC against YWC, KCC against YUCC, MPSC against KSDO and Blue Hawk against UCC.