Bishop Cotton wear crown

Impressive fielding, bowling give hosts twelve-run win over FAPS

After electing to bat in the final against Frank Anthony Public School, the hosts looked in trouble after scoring a less-than-daunting 114 for seven. However, with an impressive performance in the field and with the ball, they bowled FAPS out for 102 in 19.3 overs to win by 12 runs in a contest witnessed by some illustrious Cottons alumni such as Mayank Agarwal and Amit Verma.

Cottons openers David (14) and Nikhil G (15) playing some solid strokes to ease the nerves of the hosts. FAPS’ opening bowlers -- medium-paced skipper Anchit A and off-spinner Aditya G -- began tidily but things began to happen for the visitors when tiny left-arm orthodox spinner Kamaran got into the act.

Kamaran, who finished with figures of 4-0-23-4, kept the ball just short of good length and forced the batsmen into making mistakes time and again. Cottons batsmen Shakeel (17, 2x4) and Mahipal (16, 2x4) were the only other contributors, with the 17 extras conceded by FAPS being the joiun top-scorer.

In reply, FAPS’ starting pair of Rishiketh (11) and Rishab (6) began reasonably against pacer Jerome (3.3-0-20-1) and left-arm spinner Aiyappa (4-0-11-1). FAPS seemed to set dictate terms but a series of run outs and some poor shot-making resulted in their downfall.

Rishab was run out with the score on 30, and FAPS lost their way from there. Chaitanya (43, 3x4, 2x6) gave the visitors another crack at the target with an array of blistering shots late in the match, but his fall to Shaksham (2/31) in the last over with 12 runs required to win signalled the end.

Brief scores: Bishop Cottons Boys’ High School: 114/7 in 20 overs (Kamaran 4-23) bt FAPS: 102 all out in 19.3 overs (Shaksham 2-31).