Punjab stayed on course for a first innings lead as they steam-rolled to 312 for 3 at close on

the third day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group 'A' match against Uttar Pradesh in Merrut on Monday.

Resuming at the overnight score of 1 for 1, Punjab lost young Reetinder Sodhi on the same score early morning, giving the hosts the much needed confidence.

But UP's dreams of running through the Punjab batting line-up was nullified by the pair of Ravneet Ricky (102 not out) and skipper Dinesh Mongia (185) as the duo put on a 284-run partnership for the third wicket.

At close, Pankaj Dharmani was accompanying Ricky at the crease on 10. Punjab need 160 runs more on the final day tomorrow to over come UP's total of 471 and take the first innings lead.

Mongia, who lost his place in the Indian one-day squad after a bad World Cup performance, hit 23 boundaries and three sixes in his 269-ball innings before falling to left arm spinner Praveen Gupta.

Scoreboard

Uttar Pradesh (1st innings): 471

Punjab (1st innings):
Ravneet Ricky batting 102
Samrat Sharma c Malvia b Zaidi 0
R S Sodhi c Mishra b Zaidi 0
Dinesh Mongia c Malviya b Gupta 185
Pankaj Dharmani batting 10

Extras: (b-8, lb-2, nb-4, w-1) 15

Total: (for 3 wkts, 95 overs) 312

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-1, 3-285

Bowling: A W Zaidi 17-2-48-2, R Mishra 15-1-80-0, P Gupta 32-5-82-1, N Chopra 23-4-62-0, Jyoti Yadav 7-0-27-0, R Shamshad 1-0-3-0.