New Naikap enter final

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LALITPUR, Jan 4 :A suicide goal from Shesh Narayan’s Hari Karki in extra time saw New Naikap through to the final of the Pushpalal Memorial Cup Inter-VDC football tournament.

The match, after numerous nail-biting moments, came to a disappointing end, for Shesh Narayan, eight minutes into the extra time. New Naikap’s Shiva Tandukar, coming up with a brisk move from the right, centred a long cross for his teammate Shailendra Thapa.

Shesh Narayan defender Karki raced onto the ball before it could reach Thapa. But his hastily taken clearance shot ended inside his own goal to author Shesh Narayan’s downfall.

Earlier, New Naikap, after the goalless first half, took the lead in the 76th minute through Rupesh Maharjan. Shailendra Thapa effected a powerful shot, which was cleared off by Shesh Narayan defender Niroj Shrestha. But the ball landed well in front of unmarked Maharjan, who just slotted it home to put New Naikap 1-0 up.

Shesh Narayan, who had fought their way back more than once in the tournament, showed no sign of retreat, though. And their tireless effort paid off when striker Jugal Nagarkoti pulled off a brilliant goal in the 80th minute to level the score at 1-1.

Nagarkoti, taking a well-executed pass into his stride, launched a scintillating right footer from 30-yard that left the New Naikap goalkeeper, Shyam Kumar Thapa, helpless despite a full stretch dive.

Jorpati will take on Dakshinkali VDC in the last quarterfinal on Saturday. The winner of the match will play Dhapakhel in the second semi-final on Sunday. The final is scheduled for Monday.

BCC face JYC in summit clash

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LALITPUR, Jan 4 :A fiery 39 off 37 by opener Raju KC powered Baluwatar Cricket Club to the final of the Suman Rijal Memorial cricket tournament on Friday with a 6-wicket victory over Inter-Patan Cricket Club.

Inter-Patan’s decision to bat first went awfully wrong as they were quickly shut down for 90 runs in 31.4 overs. Bikesh Joshi top scored with 14 runs while Bijay Joshi made an unbeaten 12 runs.

Pramesh Gurung , who was later declared man of the match, was the pick of Baluwatar bowlers scalping three top-order batsmen to return with a match-winning figure of 3 wickets for 9 runs off his seven-over spell. Ritesh Baral and Rikesh Lama were equally impressive with the ball as they, too, clinched three wickets to send the opposition into tatters.

Chasing a small victory target of 91 runs, opener Raju KC belted five fours and two sixes in his 39-run knock. Bikranta Chhetri also contributed quick 15 runs off 10 balls that included three perfectly timed boundaries. Bijay Joshi raised some hopes for Inter-Patan, striking back to claim the wickets of top four batsmen. But the Baluwatar middle order stood firm to coast themselves to victory in 14 overs without further loss.