LUCKNOW, Dec. 19 -- Sparkling half centuries by Yuvraj and Anmol Noushran helped former champions Uttar Pradesh take a slender 45-run first innings lead against Bengal on the penultimate day of their four-day Elite Group D encounter of the Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy, at the SRMS Cricket Ground in Bareilly on Thursday. Keeper-batter Yuvraj smacked 107-ball 75 with the help of 11 boundaries and two sixes, whereas Noushran struck 68 in 146 balls with the help of 11 boundaries and a six as Uttar Pradesh finished Day Three at 216/8 in their first innings while chasing Bengal's first innings total of 171. Even after losing opener Shanthanu Singh on duck early in the game, Uttar Pradesh managed to recover through Noushran and Yuvraj as the two added 128 runs for the second wicket. But soon after Yuvraj's departure the wickets started tumbling like nine pins and the side were reduced to 7/177 in 53.3 overs. A brief but important 24-run eight wicket partnership between skipper Bhavy Goyal (24, 35b, 2x4) and Krishna (15*, 55b, 2x4) helped the side cross 200-run mark. Yash Panwar (4) was giving company to Krishna at the draw of stumps on Thursday. Earlier, slow bowler Ravi Saini (3/21) helped Uttar Pradesh get Bengal out for 171 in 33.1 overs while fielding first after winning the toss. Yash Panwar, Aayan Akram and Bhavi Sharma shared six wickets between them. Abhiprai Biswas struck the highest 41, whereas Aditya Roy scored 40. Opener Hitesh Kumar smashed a fine half-century to help former champions Uttar Pradesh score 207 in their first innings in an Elite Group A encounter of the Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy against Vidarbha, at the KSCA 2 Ground at Shimoga on Thursday. Kumar scored 10 boundaries and a six in his 117-b all 62. Darsh Yadav (42, 93b, 2x4), Arush Gupta (25, 50b, 5x4) and Krishna Yadav (24, 44b, 2x4, 1x6) were other main run getters. In reply, Vidarbha were 2/52 on Day Two in 19 overs. Malhar Dhurad (25) and Manav S Wakoda (16) were at the crease at the draw of stumps on Thursday. Pacer Aarav tyagi removed both the Vidarbha openers Arjun Wankhade (0) and skipper Kush Sharma (4) in quick succession, but thereafter Dhurad and Wakode held the innings together....