Pune eliminated

Robin Uthappa's excellent 45-ball 75-run knock went in vain as Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Pune Warriors by 17 runs to consolidate their second position in the Pepsi Indian Premier League here on Thursday.A Uthappa's fiery knock, during which he hit five boundaries and as many towering sixes, failed to take Pune home as, chasing a stiff 188 for victory the hosts ran out of steam to be restricted to 170 for nine and hand RCB their first win away from home this season.

Earlier, RCB rode on Saurabh Tiwary's fine 52 and A B de Villiers' quick-fire unbeaten 50 to post a 187 for three. Chasing the challenging target, Pune lost wickets at regular intervals to find themselves in a spot of bother at 81 for four in 10.5 overs. Skipper Aaron Finch (15 off 11) was the first to depart after he played on to his stumps a Moises Henriques delivery in the third over.

Tirumalasetti Suman (11 off 14) and Yuvraj Singh (16 off 11) did not help their side's cause either.A To add to Pune's misery, Vinay Kumar accounted for Steven Smith four balls later after he edged one to wicket-keeper Arun Karthik. But some counter-attacking from Uthappa and Angelo Mathews brought Pune back into the match. The duo added 63 runs for the fifth wicket in just 33 balls to send some shivers in the RCB camp.

Utahappa was at his attacking best as he moulded his innings perfectly to keep Pune in the hunt.A Right after stepping on to the crease, Mathews blossomed in Uthappa's company as the duo clobbered Muttiah Muralitharan for three huge sixes to pick up 21 runs in the 16th over.

Just when it seemed the duo might run away with the game, Mathews was caught by a diving Gayle at point off Vinay Kumar. Murali Karthik then produced twin blows in the next over to put paid to Pune's hopes.

Brief Scores: RCB 187 for three (S Tiwary 52, AB de Villiers 50no) bt PWI 170 for nine (R Uthappa 75m R Vinay Kumar 3/31).