Osmania University badminton: Manas stars in Sree Venkateshwara triumph

Sree Venkateshwara Degree College came from behind to pip Bhavans Vivekananda 2-1 in the final of the OU Inter College Badminton Championship for men held at the CBIT College on Wednesday.

Bhavans took an early lead as Siddarth proved too good for Rajasimha Reddy. The former won 21-9, 21-11 as Bhavans went 1-0 up. But that was the only good news for them as Manas Reddy had other ideas. He became the star for Sree Venkateshwara by winning both his matches.

In the second singles, Manas defeated Rohith 2-0. The first game was a closely-fought one but Manas prevailed 21-18. A buoyant Manas then subdued Rohit 21-13 to help Sree Venkateshwara draw parity at 1-1.

In the deciding doubles match, which went to the wire, Manas Reddy and Rajasimha Reddy managed to prevail 2-1 after losing the first game. Siddarth and Rohith took the hard-fought game at 21-18.

The Sree Venkateshwara shuttlers fought tooth and nail in the second game and prevailed 26-24. They took the third game too with the score reading 21-18.

In the third-place playoff, MVSR Engineering College defeated OU Arts College 2-1 with Murali being the star player for the winners.

CBIT principal Prof C V Narasimhulu gave away the prizes.

Results (final): Sree Venkateshwara Degree College bt Bhavans Vivekananda 2-1 (Rajasimha Reddy (Sree Venkateshwara) lost to Siddarth (Bhavans) 9-21,11-21; Manas Reddy (Sree Venkateshwara) bt Rohith (Bhavans) 21-18, 21-13; Rajasimha Reddy/ Manas Reddy (Sree Venkateshwara) bt Siddarth/ Rohith 18-21, 26-24, 21-18).

Third place: MVSR Engineering College bt OU Arts College 2-1 (Vishnu (MVSR) lost to Sagar (OU Arts) 20-21, 14-21; Murali (MVSR) bt Jignas (OU Arts) 21-20, 20-21, 21-16; Manas/ Murali (MVSR) bt Jignas/ Sagar (OU Arts) 21-10, 18-21, 21-16).