Shardashram's girls pose after winning the MSSA U-16 girls cricket final at Parsee Gymkhana yesterday. pics/Suresh Karkera

Exceptional batting from Aachal Valanju (113*) coupled with great bowling from medium pacer Akshi Gurav (6 for 9) helped Shardashram Vidyamandir (English) defend their title in the Mumbai Schools Sports Association-organised Manoramabai Apte Memorial under-16 girls' final at Parsee Gymkhana yesterday. The Dadar team defeated St Joseph Convent HS (Bandra) by a massive 179-run margin.