Allrounder Mohammad Saif was the star performer for ONGC, coming up with a timely knock of 46 (51 balls) in the last few overs which helped his team to put up a decent total of 207. Saif also bowled economically, getting a wicket in his seven-over spell with the new ball.

In fact, the wicketkeeper-batsman Manoj Mudgal and Rizwan Shamshad also played their roles in ONGC's win. Mudgal played a responsible knock of 51 while Rizwan chipped in with 40. But the real impetus was provided by the Saif-Chetan Sharma sixth-wicket run-a-ball 52 run partnership. For the Colts XI leg-spinner Sandeep Sawaal scalped three for 29 while the left-armer Amit Kakria had three for 41.

Much was expected from the Punjab Colts batsmen but, unfortunately, they were found wanting in application. Save for young opener Munish Sharma, who played a valiant knock of 67 (five fours, one six), none of the other Punjab Ranji hopefuls could do justice to their selection here.

Munish, however, was a picture of confidence, playing strokes all-around. He kept his team in the reckoning almost single-handedly, even taking 19 runs off a Dinesh Tomar over, but his dismissal put paid to his team's aspirations.

Deepak Sharma claimed four for 32.

ONGC will play Punjab Cricket Club in the first semifinal on October 10 while PUNCOM will play Bishnoi Club (Chandigarh) in the other semifinal on October 11.

Scores: ONGC XI: 207 allout (Manoj Mudgal 51, Mohammad Saif 46, Rizwan Shamshad 40; Sandeep Sawaal 3-29, Amit Kakria 3-41) beat Punjab Colts XI: 163 allout (Munish Sharma 67, Rakesh Saini 18; Deepak Sharma 4-32).

Suneel shines
Suneel Ahuja and Meenu Babbar won the sub-junior boys and girls singles titles of the Raj Kumar Babuta Memorial Haryana state ranking table-tennis tournament here today.

Sahil Rally and Poonam won the cadet boys and girls titles respectively.

Suneel beat Neeraj 21-17, 19-21, 21-17 in a well contested final while Meenu had the better of Shweta 21-12, 16-21, 21-19 in another close encounter.

Results Cadet Boys singles (semifinals): Sahil Rally bt Lanin 21-11, 21-23, 21-11; Deepak bt Sandeep 21-17, 21-18. Final: Sahil Rally bt Deepak 21-14, 21-18.

Sub-jr boys: Final: Suneel Ahuja bt Neeraj Kumar 21-17 19-21, 21-17.

Cadet girls (semifinals): Poonam bt Amita 22-24, 21-14, 21-18; Preeti Singh bt Reema 21-19, 21-19. Final: Preeti Singh bt Poonam 21-6, 21-14.

Sub-jr girls (semifinals): Meenu Babbar bt Shweta 21-12, 16-21, 21-19; Charu bt Monika 24-22, 11-21, 23-21.

Amarpreet excel
Manav Mangal School-21 beat Sacred Heart School-26, to win the title in the under-17 girls section in the Inter-School table tennis tournament. Amarpreet of Manav Mangal defeated Roohi of Sacred Heart 21-4, 21-3 while Anchal (Manav Mangal) lost to Shruti 10-21, 14-21. However, in the doubles the duo of Amarpreet and Anchal beat Roohi and Shruti 21-7, 21-9, to emerge victorious.