St Bede’s AIHSS clinched the TNCA City Schools tournament for the C Ramaswamy Trophy by inflicting a five-wicket defeat on Santhome HSS at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Thursday. Useful contributions from Manav Parakh and Rithik Easwaran helped it come up trumps in a low-scoring final.

St Bede’s School which beat Santhome to win C Ramaswamy Trophy on Thurs

Chennai:

After restricting Santhome to 146, the winner went about its task cautiously as the required run rate at the start of the innings was not even three. Its batsmen scored just 42 runs in the first 16 runs. 

Rithik and Prashid Anand stitched a 92-run second wicket partnership, with the former top-scoring for the side with 67 in its chase. While left-handed Rithik smashed seven boundaries in his 67, Prashid hit four fours and a six during his stay. 

Earlier, Santhome HSS chose to bat after winning the toss. But it got off to the worst possible start, losing one of its openers for a duck. Sai Sudharsan and Sandeep steadied the ship with a 44-run stand for the second wicket, which turned out to be the highest of its innings. It was bowled out for 146 in 47.4 overs. 

Vimal Khumar was its highest scorer with 28 with five boundaries. Sandeep and Udhayanithi were the only other batsmen to cross the 20-run mark. Extras were amongst the highest contributors as well, with a tally of 23 runs.  

The St Bede’s bowlers never allowed the Santhome batsman to run away with the contest, picking up wickets at regular intervals. Off-spinner Manav was the pick of its bowlers, taking three wickets during his nine-over spell. Pace bowlers Prasannah and Saie Sharan took two wickets each.  

Brief scores: Santhome HSS 146 in 47.4 overs (Manav Parakh 3/22) lost to St Bede’s AIHSS 150 for 5 in 42.1 overs (S Rithik Easwaran 67*, H Prashid Akash 42)