Sukale, Manasi triumph

August 21: Aniruddha Sukale and Manasi Bhagwat won the cadet boys and girls title respectively with brilliant come-from-behind victories in...

August 21: Aniruddha Sukale and Manasi Bhagwat won the cadet boys and girls title respectively with brilliant come-from-behind victories in the Maharashtra State Ranking table tennis tournament at Mahajanwadi Hall, Kalyan West, here today.

Third seed Sukale lost the first two games before staging a stirring fightback to down top seed Aditya Tawade 14-21, 16-21, 23-21, 21-14, 23-21 while Manasi, the second seed got the better of top seed Madhurika 17-21, 21-19, 21-17, 21-10.

It was Aditya8217;s attacking instincts and service that enabled walk away with the first two games with Aniruddha aiding him with numerous errors.

Changing tactics in the third game, Aniruddha returned Aditya8217;s service to his backhand and paid his rival back with the same coin counter-attacking furiously. Anirudha also covered his backhand well but Aditya could still have wrapped up the issue in the decider when he led 17-14. Anirudha8217;s percentage game which saw his attack his opponent8217;s backhand wrested the match from his Sri Ma Balniketan School, Thane.

Madhurika8217;s nerves, more than her opponent, undermined her fortunes in the cadet girls final. Manasi8217;s variety of strokes in the first game upset Madhurika8217;s rhythm that reduced the effectiveness of her strong forehand.

After a sembelance of a fight in the second and third games, Madhurika surrendered, disappoint at losing the lead writ large on her face.

Manasi, however, did not have things all her way on the day. Seeded fourth in the sub-junior girls section, she crashed to unseeded Neha Sidhyae 10-21, 15-21, 20-22.

HR still lead

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HR College of Commerce maintained their top spot at the Inter-Collegiate Chess Tournament being played at the University Pavilion, Marine Lines. At the end of the fifth round, today, the Group A toppers continued to lead with a total of 17.5 points. Vishal Gala and Chirag Gandhi top scored for HR with a cent percent five points each. MMK College and Vartak College remained at second spot with 15 points. Ajit Chejed 5 top scored for MMK while Sachin Mukherjee 5 scored for Vartak.

While the top positions remained put, the lower positions underwent a lot of shuffling. Chetna College Bandra were pushed out from their fourth position after they lost to Vaze College, today. Vaze 14.5, now share the fourth position with Sydhenam College 14.5. Mithibai College with 13.5 points were at fifth place at the end of the fifth round.

Rink football

THE Block Youth Movement Mazagaon will be organising its 4th Jerry D8217;Souza Memorial All Bombay Rink Football Tournament starting Sept 28, 1997. The winning team get to pocket a cash prize of Rs 5,000 while the runners-up take home Rs 3,000. For further details contact Tel: 3730861/3745860/3746281.