LUCKNOW, March 11 -- It was curtains for women's cricket in Uttar Pradesh this season as on Wednesday, their Under-23 women went down fighting to Gujarat by 13 runs in the One Day Trophy to finish third in the Elite Group D, at the Veerangan Cricket Academy Ground in Pune. Uttarakhand qualified for the knockout with 16 points even after losing their final league game to Bengal, who despite having equal points with Uttar Pradesh (12 points) made it to the knockout as the second team from the group on the basis of better net run rate 0.813. One of the strongest units in the domestic circuit, Uttar Pradesh witnessed their worst-ever season in domestic cricket even after dictating terms in the last season when their Under-19 side emerged champions in one-day trophy and runners-up in the longer version of the game. "It's a really pathetic show by our cricketers in this season as despite having ample opportunity and support given by the Uttar Pradesh Cricket association, none of the side could make it to the knockout in any category," one of the senior members of the selection committee said preferring anonymity on Wednesday. "In fact, it's the groupism and politics within the women's wing of the cricket body, which has been hampering the performances of the teams. Even the presence of outsiders in the teams too has been making a big difference for the losses," she said, adding, "People within the UPCA system hardly make any sincere effort for the betterment of women's cricket." On Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh batters needed little over 3.84 runs per over in the stipulated 50 overs to chase down 193 runs target against an off-colour Gujarat, but they failed to reach the target, scoring 179/9. After losing the wicket of inform batter Tripti Singh (5) in the fourth over, Uttar Pradesh batters never looked in control and kept losing wickets on regular intervals. Babita Yadav (26, 43b, 4x4), Amisha 940, Sonali Singh (27, 52b, 2x4), Bharti Singh (0) and even Bhumi Singh (11) lost their wickets in quick succession only to see Uttar Pradesh struggling at 110/7 in 33.5 overs. A 60-run eighth wicket partnership between keeper-batter Shraddha Tiwari and Aroma Tyagi raised hopes, but Tiwari's departure in the 47th over, almost brought curtains on Uttar Pradesh. Tiwari struck 91-ball 71 with the help of four boundaries and two sixes before being caught by Arshia Dhariwal off Nidhiben N Desai, whereas Tyagi made 19 in 47 balls with the help of one boundary. For Gujarat, Manmeet G Vasir and Pushit S Nadkarni shared four wickets between them, Gouri Goyal, Shivani Gupta and N desai took a wicket each. Earlier, Gujarat batters even after losing two quick wickets for just five on the board, showed great temperament and managed to post a challenging total for Uttar Pradesh while batting first after winning the toss. A 79-run third wicket partnership between Yashvi Malam (37, 96b, 3x4) and Stuti Jani (47, 73b, 9x4) helped the side overcome early jolts. Skipper Nidhiben N Desai played her part nicely, striking a run-a-ball 53 with the help of five boundaries and a six. Pushit S Nadkarni remained unbeaten on 22, which came off 31 balls with the help of two boundaries. For Uttar Pradesh, captain Archana Devi bowled well, bagging 4/40, whereas Bharti Singh bagged 3/40....