RR stay on course

Ajinkya Rahane struck a scintillating 67 while Rahul Dravid produced an age-defying innings to maintain RRs' impeccable ''home' record as the hosts defeated Pune Warriors by five wickets in IPL tie, here on Sunday. The match went down to the wire as Royals lost some quick wickets but Stuart Binny's unbeaten 13-ball 32 ensured that 'Fort SMS' wasn't breached. Royals registered their sixth win at home with one ball to spare. Chasing a challenging target of 179 runs, Rahane and Dravid (58) provided their team a solid start, adding 98 runs for the opening-wicket partnership. Shane Watson and Ajinkya Rahane added 30 runs for the secodn wicket and with in 10 runs span both were departed. Brad Hodge was too dismissed as Royals were left staring down the barrel but Binny kept his nerve calm under pressure to take his team home. Earlier, Robin Uthappa struck a fluent half-century and shared 97-run opening stand with skipper Aaron Finch as Pune Warriors posted a challenging 178 for four. Brief Scores: PWI 178/4 (R Uthappa 54, A Finch 45, M Marsh 35) lost to RR 182/5 (R Dravid 58, A Rahane 67, S Binny 32no)