Inter-College Cricket Tourney
Science College beat DC Bhaderwah; enter semis

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 1: Government Gandhi Memorial Science College Jammu entered the semi-finals of Inter-College Cricket Tournament in beating Degree College Bhaderwah by eight wickets in the quarter-final played at Jammu University ground, here today.

Science College faced no difficulty in reaching the easy target of 103 runs in the 17th over of the 30 overs match. Openers, Suresh and Sanjeev made 31 and 23 runs respectively, while Bhanu Pratap (4-1-29-2) got two wickets for Science College.

Shamsher and Satyajeet made unbeaten 23 and 7 runs for Science College.

Earlier, after winning the toss Science College asked DC Bhaderwah to bat first. DC Bhaderwah made a disappointing start and could score only 102 runs, losing all their wickets in 24 overs.

No doubt, Aftab (44, 6x4s) and Asif Iqbal (22) played a nice game but in absence of a good support from other batsmen their effort did not materialised.

From Bhaderwah, Bassom was the only successful bowler, who clinched both the wickets.

In tomorrow’s match, Post-Graduate Department of Arts will take on Degree College Rajouri.

M S Jamwal Memorial Hockey Tourney
Guru Nanak Club begins campaign in style

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 1: Guru Nanak Club Nanak Nagar began their campaign in style when they routed Richiland Club 6-1 in their group A league encounter of 13th M S Jamwal Memorial Under-22 Hockey Tournament at the Green Fields Grounds, here today.

Mandeep Singh (2) and Ravinder Singh (2) were the principal goal-scorer from Guru Nanak Club, while Umkar Singh, center forward was the lone scorer from Richiland Club in the inaugural match.

Guru Nanak Club dominated the field right from the beginning of the match. The first goal of the match came through right-in Harmit Singh in the 10th minutes of the first half. It was followed by another goal when right-fullback Charanjeet Singh converted a plenty shot into a goal in the 20th minutes of the match.

Guru Nanak Club in quick succession scored two more goals in the 24th and 28th minutes of the first half through Mandeep Singh and Ravinder Singh.

In the first 15 minutes of the second half both the teams made a number of attempts but without any success. But the last 15 minutes game yielded three goals two in favour of Guru Nanak Club and one for Richiland Club.

Mandip and Ravinder scored goals for Guru Nanak Club in the 45th and 50th minutes of the match respectively, while Omkar Singh made the only field goal for Richiland Club in the 55th minutes.

The tournament in which eight local teams are participating was formally inaugurated by a veteran hockey player, Mr Romesh Singh, who is also secretary Zorawar Sports Club, Satwari. The Tournament is being organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Hockey Association.

Tommorrw’s fixture:

(1) Guru Nanak Club v/s Zorawar Club.

(2) Khalsa Club v/s Gurcharan Singh Memorial Club, Bhore Camp.

International Club beats Cantt Stars in Soccor Tourney

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 1: International Club today outplayed Cantt Stars by solitary goal to enter the second round of the Ist All India Sher-e-Kashmir Cup Football Tournament being played a Mini Stadium, here.

Both the teams played a goalless defensive game in the first half of the match but changed their strategy in the second half which proved beneficial for International Club to take lead over Cantt Stars.

The only goal came in the 60th minutes of the match through Shashi Kumar. Two Cantt Stars players Pawan Kumar and Bishan Dass were shown yellow cards by the referee for foul play, while, Shashi Kumar, who made winning goal for International Club was also displayed yellow card.

Kuldeep Singh, member Jammu and Kashmir Football Association was the chief guest in the match. The tournament is being organised by the Sher-e-Kashmir People’s Association on the occasion of birth anniversary of former Chief Minister of the State, Mohd Sheikh Abdullah.

Tomorrow’s fixture:

Jammu Sports v/s R&B Srinagar at 10 am.

Churchill Brothers v/s Fire Services

J&K Police vs Vijay Club

Jammu and Kashmir Bank v/s Charli.

State Volleyball Tourney from December 4

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 1: Jammu and Kashmir Volleyball Association is organising XI Jammu and Kashmir Men and Women Championship from December 8 to 12 under the aegis of State Sports Council.

This was disclosed by Mr Kuldeep Magotra, general secretary J&K Volleyball Association, while talking to press here this afternoon. Around 18 teams including 11 in men and 7 in women from all over the state are taking part in the five day tournament. The matches which will be held on league-cum-knockout basis at GGM Science College grounds and Women College Gandhi Nagar, while, the final will be played at Mini Stadium, Parade here, Mr Magotra added.

Azhar hopes Indians would get used to conditions quickly

MUMBAI, Dec 1: Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin today expressed hope that the team would get used to the conditions in New Zealand as early as possible and also not lose the first test of the three-match series as has been the case in the past.

"We have to get used to conditions as soon as possible. There will be movement (of the ball). But our batsmen have done well in New Zealand. We always seem to lose the first test. Hopefully we should not do so now", Azhar told reporters here today.

Azhar was speaking to reporters aback was the best in the world.

"How many teams have five strike bowlers", was Gaekwad’s explanation in support of his statement.

Azhar said the key to the series from India’s angle would rest on how well the team bats. "We need to bat well and get more runs so as to give our bowlers more room to attack", the Indian skipper said.

It would be Azhar’s fourth tour to the Kiwiland, including visits to play in the 1990 triangular series and the 1992 World Cup, and as such the captain could express his views over what conditions the team would encounter there.

"It can be quite windy in Hamilton (venue of the third test), so windy that it was very difficult for the bowlers to run in and bowl. The wicket in 1994 had also a lot of bounce, the bounciest on that tour. Dunedin (venue of first test) can be very cold", Azhar said.

The Indian skipper did not underestimate the home team and said New Zealand was a very good bowling side. "Simon Doull can swing the ball both ways. Chris Cairns is a good strike bowler. There are also a lot of youngsters. If the ball does a lot, then our bowlers can also do well", Azhar said.

Coach Gaekwad did not consider Kiwi left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori as a big threat. "I don’t think spinners can trouble us", he said.

Both Gaekwad and Azhar reiterated that the team would not look beyond the three openers chosen for the tour—veteran Navjot Sidhu, vice-captain Ajay Jadeja and V V S Laxman— and would not call upon stumper Nayan Mongia to do the job.

The team is to start the tour with a four-day fixture at Napier on December 7 and end the visit with the fifth and last one-day international at Wellington on January 18. (PTI)

Vijay Merchant Trophy
Nitin helps Delhi to register 9 wickets win over J&K

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 1: Fine six wickets haul by medium pacer Nitin Aggarwal ( 20-5-46-6) helped Delhi to register nine wickets win over host Jammu and Kashmir in the three day Vijay Merchant Under-16 Trophy match played at M A Stadium here today.

Delhi which had first innings lead of 192 runs had to score only 66 runs to win the match after they bundled out the host at 257 just before the tea. Delhi lost its only wicket of Rajat Jaiswal to taste the win. Saleel Obroi and Rajiv Oniyal were remained not out with their individual score of 19 and 14 respectively.

Jammu and Kashmir, who once heading towards a draw, playing at 220 for the loss of three wickets could not maintained the spree. The host tale enders surrendered before the medium pacer Nitin Aggarwal which led to humiliating defeat for Jammu and Kashmir.

The host openers played a slow defensive game and 45 runs for the first wicket partnership between Vimarsh Kaw and Asif Jeelani. Kaw (26), who was later joined by Basu Jasrotia (29) played a slow test innings staying on the wicket for 137 and 178 minutes respectively.

However, the fourth wicket partnership between Inderjeet Singh (71) and Mudassir Rassol (61) gave fillip to the J&K innings took the scoreboard to 221 adding 110 runs. Thereafter, no other batsmen could stand on the wicket and whole team bundled out on 257.

Abhishek Sharma and Tony Singh were the other successful bowlers from Delhi, who clinched two and one wicket respectively.