#NSL360: Noronha's 85 fails to put Titans in quarter-finals

Denzil Pinto 07:20 08/11/2015
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  • Big Mac: MacNeil Noronha smashed eight fours and seven sixes.

    MacNeil Noronha struck a match-winning 85 but it failed to put TMS Titans in the quarter-finals of the ADIB National School Cricket League as the Dubai pool games concluded on Saturday.

    Knowing they had to win by a huge margin over AUS Stallions to seal qualification, Titans achieved that feat winning by 85 runs but went out on run-rate as DIA Wolves joined IHS Knights in the U-15 last-eight category.

    At Sharjah English School, Noronha again showed his batting potential as Titans reached an imp-osing total of 189-9.

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    From the first ball, the 14-year-old opening batsman was on fire. After reaching his half-century, he was on course to reach his first century of the tournament.

    Instead, a superb ball from Chethiya Dashan ended his innings (eight fours and seven sixes) in the 16th over.

    Stallions’ Ronan Sachethana was in blistering form and he threatened to steal the thunder from the Titans with his team reaching 44 in just four overs. 

    But the opener skied a high catch and was out for 35. Stallions then lost another wicket with a run-out as Titans gained the initiative.

    Titans built on their promising start, taking wickets at regular int-ervals and soon wrapped up the win but it proved to be too little too late.

    After his half-century went in vain, Noronha insists his team will come back stronger. “We needed to qualify and that’s why I started off very quickly,” he said of his 43-ball knock that landed him his third man-of-the-match award.

    “I felt I could have reached the hundred but couldn’t connect the ball properly. Our win just wasn’t enough and it’s hard luck but we’ll come back stronger next year and be even better.”

    Dubai Pool Two leaders Knights tasted defeat for the first time as Wajih Zaman put on a man-of-the-match display to inspire DC Sixers to a consolation 19-run triumph.

    Stepping up: DC Sixers’ Michael Vincent in action against IHS Knights.

    Already qualified, Knights could not reach their target of 122 after Sixers put on a competitive total of 121, inspired by Zaman’s 54 off 30 balls.

    It was a deserved victory for DC Sixers and their captain Sahil Mordani lauded his players. 

    “It’s a really good win for us and it’s a morale boost. It will set us up well for the domestic season ahead,” said the 14-year-old.

    “It gives us the confidence and we want to build on this when we come back next season.”

    Knights coach Sunil Kumar had no complaints but insists his team will learn a lot from this defeat ahead of the knockouts in January.

    “I have to give full credit to DC Sixers,” he said. 

    “They played very well and we had a tough run chase. Now we have to learn from this game and come up with game plans for the quarter-finals.” 

    In Dubai Pool One, Winchester Cobras joined Modern Heros in the last-eight but had to hold their nerve in a closely-fought encounter.

    Mohamed Faris set the ball rolling with a fine 57 off 53 balls as Cobras scored 144-4. 

    In reply, JC Heat fell one-run short in their chase despite Yahya Saeed’s 48 off 46 balls.

    In the Under-13 Pool Two, Ebrahim Maqsood smashed a half-century as GOOIS leapfrogged IHS Knights into top position to book their knockout with a 29-run win over TMS Titans.

    With four teams in contention for the two qualification spots, Maqsood’s unbeaten 58 helped GOOIS post 112-2. In reply, Titans could only score 83-7.

    Joining them will be Knights after Kushal Chiluka’s half-century guided his team to a 46-run win over Deira Daredevils, after JSSIS Super Kings lost to WIS Wizards by four runs. 

    Completing the Dubai line-up in the quarter-finals are Modern Heros and DPS Falcons.

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