Shillong, Feb 27: Ri-Bhoi and South Garo Hills won their respective matches of the Meghalaya Cricket Association’s Inter-District U-23 Men’s Cricket Tournament today.
Ri-Bhoi defeated East Jaintia Hills by an innings and 69 runs in Zone 1 in Nongpoh, while South Garo Hills were victorious by eight wickets over South West Khasi Hills in Mendipathar in Zone 2.
Resuming the second day on 36/2 in their second innings, EJH were still 145 runs away from making Ri-Bhoi bat again. In the end EJH were all out for 112, with Passang Sherpa (24) and Bharat Subba (22) both reaching the twenties before getting out. The most successful bowlers were Ram Gurung (3/16) and Vicky Kumar (3/22), who bagged three wickets each. Gurung finished with match figures of 9/41 after taking 6/25 in the first innings.
Meanwhile, in Mendipathar, the end of the first day had seen SGH take a 34-run lead at the end of both teams’ first innings. The second for SWKH did not go according to plan and they were all out for 84. However, it could have been a lot lower, as the team were 49/9 before tailenders Sardonik Lyngdoh (13) and Birat Sangma (15*) put on 35 for the last wicket.
South Garo Hills thus required just 51 for victory, which they accomplished for the loss of two wickets. Arien Bonchang was the top-scorer with 23.
(Photo: Meghalaya Cricket Association. South Garo Hills and South West Khasi Hills players and officials)