TCC are thru to the quarter finals after defeating PCC by 44 runs

In their second match-up this year, TCC had no hiccups putting it across PCC thus entering the last 8 phase of MACC 2005 on Saturday at Shiloh. We would like to thank DCC for officiating this game, especially to Neeraj who saved the day when Anzacs bailed out at the last moment and of course to Senthil for helping out with scoring and as a substitute.

Aravind chose to bat after winning the toss and the game started off at 11am. It was a beautiful day for cricket with an occasional light breeze blowing thru the field. Of course, the umpires had to be on their toes literally to keep the bails in tact. TCC was in trouble right away losing their skipper with the score at 17 after 2 overs. Aravind was foxed by a slower one from Kapil and was caught in the crease playing across the line. Ravi and Sundar seemed completely at ease against the PCC attack. Sundar executed a couple of glorious square-cuts and flicks while Ravi was in his elements with the usual free-flowing approach. Former CCCian Shahid picked up Sundar off the very first ball he bowled with Kapil just scooping the ball up inches off the turf at backward square-leg. Shibu didn't stay for long and was adjudged leg before trying to pull Kamran at the threshold of the first drinks break and we were at 72/3 off 12 overs. The situation demanded a good steady partnership so that we would have wickets at the end to dish out some meaty blows. New man in Vijay and Ravi put their heads down and started milking runs at a steady pace. It was a good contest between Vijay and Kamran to start. It started off with the odd edge flying just out of Solomon's reach in the slips, but Vijay had the last laugh square cutting the offie for a boundary. Ravi meanwhile muscled his way into the attack by clobbering anything that was too full. This partnership of 88 runs off 78 balls laid the platform for the later order batsmen to build upon. Zulfi bowled Vijay in the 25th over with the score at 160 and PCC seemed elated. Little did they know that a hurricane by the name of Charan was waiting eagerly to unleash his wrath on 'em. Call it Sundar's bat or brilliant execution, he started off with a straight six and in Kamran's next over he plundered 27 runs! It was a classic exhibition of merciless hitting at its very best. No French cuts or Sujith Somasundram-like cover drives traveling to fine leg! Ravi was bowled ironically off Mahesh's full toss for a superb 85 off 83 balls. Rajesh U. was bowled through the gate off Solomon's bowling. Charan remained unbeaten on a rather fluent 46 and Manoj was on 2 when we wrapped up at the 30-over mark.

With 8 an over needed right off, PCC knew it wasn't the easiest of chases. They started cautioualy against Aravind and tried to free their arms against Amar, however, Kapil was caught in the crease in Aravind's next over yielding us our first break. Numan and Ammar seemed to steady the ship well for sometime. Numan tried to take the aerial route against Amar and holed out to Charan at mid-off. Rajesh U. demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the best fielders in the side by taking a spectacular one-handed running catch at mid-off to dismiss a bewildered Solomon off Sundar. PCC were 51/3 off 9 overs and with wickets falling at regular intervals we weren't breaking a sweat. Shahid showed that he was very comfortable against our attack and both batsmen put together a crucial 45-run partnership which was the need of the hour for PCC to stay in the match. Manoj produced a peach of a delivery to clean up Shahid. The in-swinging yorker broke thru Shahid's defense and sent the stumps cart-wheeling out of the ground. Being a good sport that he is, Shahid actually congratulated Manoj on bowling such a good ball. Kamran's was a soft dismissal and he offered an easy return catch to Nutty. Danger-man and PCC's skipper Irfan walked in and we knew that was the wicket we needed. With the asking rate at 9.42, Ammar decided to go after us. He hit a couple of 6s off Nutty and carved out a couple of cheeky 4s in Vijay's next over as well. Charan proved too clever for Ammar and his pull was gobbled up by Aravind on the midwicket boundary. Nutty accounted for Irfan by having him caught at short third-man by Amar. Mani tried to make a match out of it with a couple of good hits, but Rajesh's accurate throw from the deep into Charan's hands nailed him as he was trying for a second run with a hesistant partner. Manoj took a very good catch with the sun in his eyes to dismiss Mahesh off Aravind and Charan put the last nail in the coffin to get rid of Zulfi. PCC were all out for 183. It felt good to be back in our winning ways having needlessly lost to GHCC in the previous match.

MoM :- Ravi Renganathan