Chowgule, Margao dominate on Day 1

Panaji: Dempo Cricket Club took early control of their contest against Geno Sports Club, while Chowgule Sports Club and Margao Cricket Club also asserted dominance on the opening day of Round 4 of the Goa Premier Division League on Sunday.

At the NAPEX ground, Dempo bowlers set up the day with a disciplined effort, dismissing Geno Sports Club for 121 in 39.4 overs. Manthan Khutkar (29) top-scored, with Shiven Borkar (23) and Veer Yadav (19) offering limited support. Dempo shared the spoils with the ball, as Rahul Mehta, Abhinav Tej Rana and Samit Aryan Mishra picked up two wickets apiece.

In reply, Dempo moved ahead steadily, reaching 129 for 3 in 48 overs to secure a slender first-innings lead. Sarthak Bhike anchored the innings with a patient 54, while Abhinav Tej Rana chipped in with 36 to cap a productive all-round outing. With wickets in hand and a lead established, Dempo hold the upper hand heading into Day 2.

At Chicalim SAG Ground, Chowgule Sports Club dominated proceedings against Panjim Gymkhana. After bundling out Panjim for 101 in 29.1 overs, courtesy a devastating 7/29 by Shubham Desai, Chowgule responded with 213 in 52.4 overs to take a significant lead. Madhur (42), Felix Alemao (37) and Shubham Tari (36 not out) led the scoring, while Mohit Redkar impressed with 6/60 for Panjim.

Panjim Gymkhana, in their second innings, were struggling at 18 for 2 in five overs, still trailing by a sizeable margin.

Meanwhile, at the Porvorim GCA Academy Ground, Margao Cricket Club posted a strong 293 in 65.5 overs against Salgaocar Cricket Club. Deepraj Gaonkar (81) and Umang Gosavi (71) were the mainstays, supported by Aryan Narvekar (39). Ruthvik Naik was the standout bowler for Salgaocar with 6/54. In reply, Salgaocar reached 47 for 2 in 12 overs.