Tura District Cricket Association defeated South Garo Hills DCA by 16 runs in a rain-affected match of the Meghalaya Cricket Association’s U-19 Boys Inter District Cricket Tournament today.
The other scheduled game unfortunately had to be abandoned after Ri-Bhoi DCA got off to a tremendous start against East Jaintia Hills DCA.
Tura won the toss in Zone 2 at Salpara, Mendipathar, but were restricted to 107/9 in 35.1 overs. Salchang Sangma and Silgar M Sangma each bagged 3/22 and Ayush M Sangma 2/11, which prevented TDCA from settling out in the middle. The first five batters were all out for single digits and Tura were teetering on 30/5 when Shahin Alone (21) and Darnell Sangma (11) put on 43 for the sixth wicket.
A further 15 runs from Agatchu Chetai K Marak helped TDCA to 100 but he had to retire hurt and his team’s innings thus ended prematurely.
Tura’s opening bowlers Denikcheng Marak (2/18) and Fernando Barbaryo M Sangma (2/12) then rocked the opposition’s batting order and SGH were reduced to 42/5 at 13.3 overs when bad weather forced an end to the match. According to the DLS method, SGH should have been on 59 at that point, so Tura won by 16 runs.
Meanwhile, in Zone 1’s Group A match at Umbuda, Nongpoh, hosts Ri-Bhoi were flying after winning the toss and batting first. Going at 6.57 runs per over, they reached 184/8 in 28 overs. It was then that the rain fell and it was not possible for play to resume.
Almost all of Ri-Bhoi’s batters got good starts, the only negative being that no one was able to push on for a big score. Banialam Mylliemngap top-scored with 34 not out from just 18 deliveries (4x4s, 2x6s), while Dev Rai (3/29) and Jeffre Chyrmang (3/34) were the most successful bowlers for EJH.
Tomorrow, in Zone 1’s Group B, East Khasi Hills Cricket Association will face West Jaintia Hills DCA. In Zone 2, North Garo Hills DCA will be up against Tura.
