A strong rearguard action saw Uttar Pradesh recover to score 303 for nine wickets declared on the second day of their Central Zone Vijay Merchant Trophy (under-16) match against Rajasthan at Bhilwara on Saturday.

UP, resuming at 172 for five, lost their sixth wicket without any addition to the score. A seventh wicket fell at 190. Then the recovery process was initiated by the No 8 batsman S Upadhya. First with No 9 N Chowdhury (14) he added 58 runs for the eighth wicket and then with No 10 N Trivedi (19) he put on 55 runs for the ninth wicket. At the declaration, Upadhya was unbeaten with 79 after batting almost 3-1/2 hours. He faced 126 balls and hit eight fours.

Rajasthan were given a good start by openers A Mann (32) and R Gurjar (48 not out) who put on 81 runs in 36.2 overs. Sarthak Shukla however took two wickets in successive overs and Rajasthan at stumps were 87 for two.

© CricInfo