Amod Borkar receiving the Man of the Match award.
MARGAO
Priority Titans beat Mapusa Dream Crushers by 15 runs in a close encounter in the Desserts n More Sarsangan Super Series Cricket at Arlem cricket ground.
Electing to bat first, Priority Titans were jolted as they lost Sairaj Dhond on the very first ball to Sarvesh Kamat. Sukrut Pai 33 (24 balls) along with Amod Borkar 51 (48) steadied the innings with a 58 run partnership in 48 balls. The Titans gained control courtesy a 79 run partnership in 42 balls for the 3rd wicket between Amod and skipper Aditya Prabhugaonkar 38 (28 balls).
Varun Kudchadkar 21* (11) and Swapnil Kakodkar 14 (9) helped the Priority Titans put on 185-5 in 20 overs with extras contributing 27 runs. The pick of the bowlers was Sarvesh Kamat with 2-22 and was supported by Bhushan Vernekar with 1-17 and Sarvesh Sinari 1-22.
In reply, Mapusa Dream Crushers were provided a good start by Sarvesh Kamat 16 (11) and Rajesh Colvalcar 33 (30) as they put on 45 in 5 overs. However the loss of some quick wickets set the MDC on the backfoot with only Pankaj Naik 31 (26) making a useful contribution as they reached 115-5 in 15.3 overs.
Needing 71 in 27 balls, Mahendra Pai Kuchelkar 28 (15) and Rauji Kakodkar 34 (13) put on a blazing 50 runs partnership in only 18 balls to give MDC a glimmer of a hope. However, their hopes were dashed by Sukrut Pai who picked 2 wickets in 2 balls to restrict the Mapusa Dream Crushers to 170-8 in 20 overs, thus helping the Priority Titans to a 15 run win. The win not only helped the Titans secure 2 crucial points but also kept them alive for a place in the knockouts. Amod Borkar 2-23, Sukrut Pai 2-23, Aditya Prabhugaonkar 2-35, Yogesh Dalal 1-18 and Rudresh Kamat 1-21 were the successful bowlers.
Amod Borkar was awarded the Desserts n More Man of the Match medal and the Estilo Moderno Realty Man of the Match trophy along with a cash prize of Rs.2000 for his brilliant all round display for the Priority Titans. The presentation was done by Naresh Ghodge, Hemant Kirtani, Naresh Pai, Anil Kamat, Nagnath Shanbhag and Pradip Shetye.
