Bhubaneswar: Town Club defeated Pioneer Club, Puri, by 40 runs in the Inter-Club Cricket Series at Town Club Ground, Old Town, here on Tuesday.
Electing to bat Town Club rode on a half-century by Rakesh Kumar Behera to muster a competitive total of 165 in 36.1 overs. In reply, Pioneer Club was bowled out for 125 in 33.3 overs despite a defiant 53 by Bhagirathi Behera.
Allrounder Bhagirathi Behera, who also picked up two wickets, shared the man of the match prize with Town Club’s Rakesh Kumar Behera.
Eminent cricket coach Kishore Mania exhorted players of both the teams to aim high and work hard with their feet on the ground. He handed over man of the match prize on the occasion.
Town Club sports secretary Manoj Kumar Mohapatra and other members were present on the occasion.
The 40-over-per-side match was officiated by umpires C P Mohapatra and PK Jena. The next match of the series will take place between Town Club and Kishore Club on Wednesday.
Brief score
Town Club 165/10 in 36.1 overs (Rakesh Kumar Behera 57, Rakesh Kumar Barik 24, Girija Mishra 22; Lalu Mohanty 3/30, Bhagirathi Behera 2/18) beat Pioneer Club 125/10 in 33.3 overs (Bhagirathi Behera 53, Suraj Martha 24; Sonu Kumar 3/14, Manash Das 3/18, Bishal Kar 3/23) by 40 runs. Joint Man of the Match: Bhagirathi Behera and Rakesh Behera.
