Sikkim pull off a thrilling victory over Orissa

In the latest round of East Zone Under-14 Tournament, played at Engineering Ground, Cuttack, Sikkim surprised themselves with a thrilling 14 runs victory over Orissa. Batting first, Sikkim scored 184 in 77.4 overs with opener TT Bhutia scoring an impressive half century (52). Dhiraj Kumar Singh was the pick of Orissa bowlers (3/39). Orissa did well to score 164 runs in 78.4 overs as none of their batsmen got going. SD Bhutia (3/20) and Soni Jamang (3/40) were the pick of Sikkim bowlers. Sikkim never got going in their second innings as they were bundled out for 103. Opener Bimal Singh's 44 was a notable exception as Dhiraj Kumar Singh with 4/18 triggered the Sikkim downfall. Chasing a victory target of 124, SD Bhutia (3/28) had reduced Orissa to 97/7 when Tashi Topden Bhutia (3/17) dashed all hopes of a Orissa victory by claiming the last three wickets for next to nothing. Orissa were bowled out for 109 runs as Sikkim celebrated a 14 run victory. Sikkim were richer by 8 points as Orissa collected none.

In the match between Tripura and Bihar played at MBB Stadium, Agartala, the result was an inevitable draw. Bihar won the toss and put Tripura in to bat first. Tripura scored 147 runs in 82.2 overs. Bihar bowlers were in total control as Abhijit Dey scored a patient 55 to provide some sort of respectability. Bihar didn't perform any better in their first innings. They wound up scoring 196 in 105.5 overs. Middle order batsman S Nadeem scoring 55 with four hits to the fence. Abhijit Dey turned out to be the star for Tripura with the ball too. To add to his half century in the first innings, he finished with the figures of 29.5-11-56-6. In the second dig Tripura lost their way and were bowled for 111 in 92.1 overs. Abhijit Dey again top scoring with 23. Bihar were aided by Santosh Kumar 3/18, Madan Kumar 3/39 and S Nadeem 3/21. Bihar were 44 for the loss of two wickets as the match was called off as a draw. Bihar and Tripura gained three points each. The highlight of the match were the good allround performance by Abhijit Dey of Tripura and S Nadeem of Bihar.

In the match played at Gymkhana Jorhat Club Ground, Guwahati, between Bengal and Assam the only possible result was a draw. Rain had played the role of a spoilsport as the first two days were washed out. On the third day Bengal won the toss and put Assam in. Assam were bundled out for 116 in 73 overs. Priyabrata Dutta claiming all the honours of the match with the bowling figures of 28-13-35-7. Sadek Imran Choudhury (33) topscored for Assam.The match was called off in the thirteenth mandatory over as Bengal made 48/3 in 27 overs. Assam and Bengal collected three points each.