Mumbai, Hyderabad, Karnataka

Hyderabad, Sep 8 (UNI) Despite heroic efforts by former team India skipper Sourav Ganguly, Bengal went down to Mumbai, while Karnataka, Tamil Nadu Colts and hosts Hyderabad defeated their rivals in the pre-quarter finals of the All India Moin-ud-Dowlah Gold Cup croclet tournament being played here today.

Chasing a target of 229 for a win, Bengal were bowled out for 181 with two overs remaining. Thus Mumbai won the match by 47 runs and entered the quarter finals.

Bengal, despite conceding 95 runs lead in the first innings, were , however, in contention when they restricted Mumbai to 133/9 in 40 overs in their second essay. But, barring Sourav with 72 off 86 balls studded with three sixes and one four, and Manoj Tiwar (37 off 54 balls) others failed to rise to the occasion. Rajesh Varma was the pick of the bowler, taking five for 60 runs.

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