MUMBAI, June 23: Cafe Royal, runner's-up last year, entered the semi-finals of the Guru Nanak Cup. In the quarter-finals today at the St Xavier's Ground, Parel, they overcame Young Challengers 2-0.While both teams played equally well, it was the better ball control by Cafe Royal on the wet surface saw them through. The first goal came in the 17th minute off a free-kick by Ryan Sherra. Neville Goveshni tapped the ball in from a header by Leroy Nunes to take Cafe Royal one-up into the breather.Nunes was back in action in the 29th minute of the second-half as Cafe Royal increased the margin. nunes scored off a fine pass by Hasan Kamal.Cricket awardICICI has instituted the ``Safe hands of the match'' award for the ongoing Singer Independence cricket tournament being played in Sri Lanka. The best catch during each of the ten match will be worth $500 with the best catch of the series will be rewarded with $2,000, a press release said today.Thakur, Mallika favouritesBS Thakur of Puneand Mallika Parekh have been given top billing in the men's and women's singles respectively in the PJ Hindu Gymkhana Maharashtra State Major Ranking table tennis tournament beginning from tomorrow. Mallika, who is seeded fourth in the country in the junior section, is the top seed in the junior girls section as well, a release said here today.CCI unbeatenThe Cricket Club of India (CCI) cricket team returned home after a successful three-week tour of England on the invitation of Reigate Priory Cricket Club. CCI won seven of the eight matches and drew one against Dulwich Cricket Club a release said today.Vinayak sawant was the highest run-getter with 328 runs followed by Girendra Vasudeo (161), Rahul sagar and Rohan Gavaskar (158 each). The best individual score of 77 again came from Gavaskar against Reigate Priory who had West-Indian speedster Ian Bishop in their ranks. Hakim Khan was the most successful bowler with 14 wickets from eight matches.
