This is the second title of the season for Dena Bank. Earlier they had won the Western Region Inter-Bank tournament.

Dena Bank, chasing a target of 223 runs for a win, were in dire straits when they lost four wickets for 93 runs. However, their fifth wicket pair of Pawri and Masurkar came to their rescue. They put on 94 runs in 11.2 overs and brought victory in sight.

Masurkar, who was looking good, was claimed by off-spinner Nilesh Bhosle for a well-struck 47 which included five hits to the ropes.

Pawri then teamed with man-of-crisis Prashant Sawant, and the two saw the side through with four balls to spare. Pawri's unbeatenknock of 63 was studded with a six and six fours and came in 65 balls, while Sawant contributed 24 with four hits to the fence.

Union Bank's Sandeep Kotre was declared best batsman, while medium pacer Manish Sakhalkar, also of Union Bank, was adjudged the best bowler.

In the Junior Division, Reshad Dotiwal of CA IndoSuez and Kishore Phanse of Abhudaya Bank were awarded best batsman and best bowler, respectively.

Brief Scores

Union Bank 223-7 in 45 overs (Sandeep Kotre 106) lost to Dena Bank 224-5 in 44.2 overs (Kersi Pawri 63 n.o.).

NIA win key match

A third-wicket stand of 104 in 16.5 overs, enabled New India Assurance (NIA) to win a key match against United India Insurance in the five-team league of the PJ Hindu Gymkhana, today.

Thanks to V Madhavan, a 28-year-old former Madras University player who made the top score of 67, including nine fours off 79 balls, and Prashant Dalvi, who contributed 49 off 67 balls with one six and five fours, New India were able to overcomeearly set-backs and overhaul United India's total of 195 with four wickets and 2.2 overs to spare.

It was New India's second victory in succession. Oriental Insurance is the only other side with a 100 per cent record, having won their two matches so far. New India meet Oriental on Saturday. Oriental had a day off today. New India's Madhavan was adjudged the man of the match.

General Insurance Corporation posted their first victory in three matches when they easily defeated National Insurance who suffered their third straight reverse.

Opener Chetan Shukla, who scored 66 not out as GIC overhauled National's 140 with eight wickets to spare, was adjudged the man of the match.

There will be no match on Thursday.

Brief Scores

United India 195 in 45 overs (B Ramprakash 31) lost to New India Assurance 196-6 in 42.4 overs (V Madhavan 67, Prashant Dalvi 49). MoM: V Madhavan.

National Insurance 140 in 42.2 overs (Sunil Palav 3-22) lost to General Insurance Corporation 141-2in 354 overs (Chetan Shukla 66 n.o., Manoj Thakur 45). MoM: Chetan Shukla.

Easy for Andrade

Malcolm Andrade (8) beat S Patil (10) 80-25 in the second-round of the AR Dias Open Break billiards tournament, sponsored by ATM Shipping, at the Catholic Gymkhana, today.

In other second-round games, P Khandelwal (12) beat O Balsara (30) 72-5 and N Dossa (20) defeated P Daniel (10) 59-37.

Excise prevail

Central Excise prevailed 25-21, 25-21, 27-29, 25-12 over Brothers Club (Bhiwandi) in the quarter-finals of the Callan Cup volleyball tournament at the Jhule Maidan, Agripada, today.

In the other quarter-final ties, State Bank beat Bombay YMCA 25-22, 27-25, 25-19 and Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers defeated Maharashtra Police 25-16, 25-19, 25-18.

Goans hold CR

Goans held Central Railway to a goalless draw in the first Karnatak Veterans football league at the Karnatak ground, Churchgate, today.

The day's other encounter also ended in a barren draw withKarnatak holding Bombay Port Trust 0-0.