By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 14: Ankita Sharma bagged 5/14 to set up a three-wicket victory for Ri-Bhoi District Cricket Association against South Garo Hills DCA in the first semifinal of the Meghalaya Cricket Association’s U-19 Girls Inter District Cricket Tournament at Umbuda Ground, Nongpoh, today.
Ri-Bhoi were the top team from Zone 1’s Group A, while South Garo Hills were first in the single group Zone 2.
SGH won the toss and chose to bat first but were kept down to only 77 all out in 18.4 overs.
Ankita claimed a wicket with her very first delivery of the day but resistance came in the middle order with Ronjoli Basumatary and Marme M Sangma making 14 each while Jaylynn R Marak hit 13. Two of these three wickets eventually fell to Ankita, with the other claimed by Bimala Thakur (1/18).
Angelica Maring (3/24) also did her bit with the ball to bag three scalps, while Bancyful Mynsong (1/6) took one as well. Crucially, Ri-Bhoi were comparatively well disciplined with the ball, giving away only 26 extras.
In contrast, SGH conceded 49, which proved to be a big help for Ri-Bhoi, who chased down the total with three wickets in hand in 29.2 overs out of the 35 available to them.
Only Angelica got into double figures with a score of 10 but that was enough for her team. SGH, who won two of their zonal matches, bowled well except for those extras, with Rikmanchi M Sangma taking 2/13, Jaylynn and Dianchidora N Sangma both 2/21 and Marme 1/13. Rikmanchi has been the most successful bowler in the tournament thus far, with 10 wickets in four games.
Ri-Bhoi will now wait to see who they are to face in the final as the second semi will be played tomorrow between Shillong Cricket Association (toppers of Zone 1’s Group B) and Tura DCA (runners-up of Zone 2).