The Hindu : Sport : Vijay CC ends Rovers' jolly run

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 04, 2006

Sport

Sport

Vijay CC ends Rovers' jolly run

Sports Reporter

JOB WELL DONE: R. Prasanna of Vijay CC fell short of a century by 10 runs but made sure his team recovered from the early hiccups. — Photo: R. Ragu

Chennai: Vijay CC wrested the Palayampatti Shield from Jolly Rovers — which has had a continuous five-year hold over it — after the final day's play of the SPIC-TNCA first division championship match was called off at tea at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Friday.

Play began on a dramatic note, with promise of a fightback by the star-studded Jolly Rovers. When A. Srinivasan was castled by R. Jesuraj off the first ball of the day, the scoreboard read zero for two. Another chance came when R. Prasanna was on five, but Dinesh Mongia failed to hold on to the chance. Jesubabu Honeymen, a consistent player with 917 runs this season, did not last long and departed after making just seven.

At that stage Vijay was tottering at 27 for three, but Prasanna and J.R. Madanagopal made sure that there was no further drama, putting on a solid 130-run partnership in 43.1 overs and making optimum use of a defensive field.

To their credit, the Rovers bowlers stuck to a decent line and length, but the duo left the deliveries around the off-stump alone. The occasional loose balls were promptly dispatched to the boundary.

Delightful shots

Prasanna was the dominant partner. He began patiently but cut loose after lunch with some delightful cuts and sweeps, especially off the spinners. He was within sniffing distance of a hundred when R. Satish held on to one at midwicket. However, Prasanna's 90 (189b, 12x4, 2x6) and Madanagopal's unbeaten 56 (114b, 6x4, 1x6) ensured Vijay took the honours through first innings lead.

"It feels great as they are a very strong team and have won the championship five times in a row. We worked together as a team and in the end, it was a comfortable win," said S. Suresh, captain of Vijay. The team had last won the title in the 97-98 season.

The scores: Vijay 332 in 106.2 overs and 162 for four in 60 overs (R. Prasanna 90, J. Madanagopal 56 not out) drew with Jolly Rovers 205 in 64.2 overs. Vijay won on first innings lead.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail