PANAJI
In a gripping contest at the Rotary Indoor Cricket Tournament, Rotary Club of Panaji A edged past Rotary Club of Curchorem Sanvordem by just one run, thanks to an outstanding all-round performance by Shailesh Miskin. The Rotary Club of Panaji had organized its 1st All Goa Rotary Indoor Tennis Ball Cricket Championship at Panjim Gymkhana’s Satish Timblo Arena.
The event saw 12 Rotary Clubs participating name RC Bicholim, RC Vasco Port Town, RC Mhapsa Elite, RC Panaji Midtown, RC Mapusa Millennials, RC Miramar, RC Curchorem, RC Porvorim, RC Donapaula, RC Kadamba and the host club RC Panaji.
The event saw 15 matches being conducted under lights in the arena and about 150 Rotarians participating in the event.
Upon completion of the league stages, it was RC Kadamba, RC Curchorem Sanvordem, RC Vasco Port Town and the host club RC Panaji make it to the semifinals. In the first semifinals RC Panaji recorded a fluent victory over RC Vasco Port Town while in the second semifinals RC Curchorem Sanvordem edged out RC Kadamba. The finals saw a mouth watering contest between the tournament favorites RC Panaji led by Rtn. Gaurish Agni and the challengers RC Curchorem Sanvordem led by Rtn. Balkrishna Hodarkar.
In the finals, Batting first, Panaji A set a competitive total of 28 runs in 5 overs built around Shailesh Miskin’s quickfire 11 runs (2 sixes) and a steady 13 runs from Vaibhav Kadkade. Their innings, though modest, proved just enough against a disciplined bowling.
RC Curchorem Sanvordem’s chase began rather disappointingly with the team losing quick wicket of Siddesh Alvencar, caught brilliantly by Gaurish Agni. Angad Painginkar steadied the innings scoring 19 runs at a brisk pace. The middle overs saw the side again lose quick wickets of Kapil Borkar, Vikrant Prabhu and Sudesh Rane again to brilliant catching by Dhilan Shah and Shailesh Miskin with the total reading 26 runs. Needing just 5 runs for victory, tight bowling in the final two overs turned the tide. Siddesh Shetye bowled a miserly spell giving away just 3 runs in the second last over and RC Curchorem Sanvordem still needing 2 runs of the last over for the victory. Shailesh Miskin bowled a brilliant maiden last over, taking 2 wickets without conceding any runs and helping his team win by 1 run. Dhilan Shah and Siddhesh Shetye chipped in with key breakthroughs.
Needing 2 runs off the final ball, Curchorem Sanvordem fell agonisingly short, handing Panaji a dramatic one run victory. RC Panaji were crowned Champions yet again living up to their reputation of the most consistent victorious Club.
The prizes were given away in the presence of Chief Guest PDG Rtn. Gaurish Dhond, Guest of Honour AG Rtn Pallavi and Rtn. Nester Sequeira, Ajay Gaude Director SAG, President of RC Panaji Prashant Kaisare , Youth Service Director Rtn. Prashant Kunkolienkar and Rtn Dinesh Sinari.
