Hockey Maharashtra outwits Delhi Hockey 4-1

Teams commenced 5th Senior National Hockey Championship 2015 (Women) 'A' Division on high spirits

- Railway Sports Promotion Board thumped Hockey Odisha 10-0
- Hockey Maharashtra outwits Delhi Hockey 4-1
- Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy registers 3-2 win over Hockey Haryana

Saifai (Uttar Pradesh), 26 April 2015: Commencing the tournament on a winning note, the teams showcased wonderful hockey skills and claimed their first win on the opening day of the 5th Senior National Hockey Championship 2015 (Women) 'A' Division being played at Saifai, Uttar Pradesh.

The day started with a win for Railway Sports Promotion Board who stamped a huge 10-0 victory over Hockey Odisha followed by Hockey Maharashtra \ who edged-past Delhi Hockey with a score 4-1. Third encounter proved to be a thrilling match where Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy registered its first win over Hockey Haryana 3-2.

Railway Sports Promotion Board thrashed Hockey Odisha with a huge goal margin of 10-0 in the first match of the tournament. Both the teams were seen striving to score in the first few minutes of the game. However, it was Navjot Kaur from Railway Sports Promotion Board who initiated the chain of goals when she smashed a field goal in the early third minutes of the game. Within just two minutes of the first goal, Soundaraya Yendala scored the second goal in the fifth minute for Railway Sports Promotion Board and doubled the lead to 2-0. Continuing to assert pressure on Hockey Odisha, it was Punam Barla who struck a beautiful field goal in the tenth minute of the game. The game seemed to be dominated by Railway Sports Promotion Board as Anuradha Devi Th. scored four goals in the 12th, 33rd, 36thand 58th minute. Railway Sports Promotion Board confirmed a tough game for the opponents by striking another field goal coming from Lilima Minz in the 29thminute of the game followed excellent shots by Anupa Barla and Sunita Lakra in the 42nd and 50th minute respectively. As Hockey Odisha was unable to convert any scoring opportunities, the game ended on a dry run for them and Railway Sports Promotion Board declared a remarkable 10-0 win

In a one sided match Hockey Maharashtra dominated the match against Delhi Hockey to win it by 4-1. The first half was almost a dry run, when in the 26th minute Hockey Maharashtra finally managed to open their accounts as the penalty corner was slapped into the nets by Nihkat Shaikh. This was immediately followed by another goal in the 28th minute when Snehal Lagali in the D beat the opponents goalie to double her teams lead and the first half score stood at 2-0. Right into the second half, Hockey Maharashtra wasted no time, as in the 33rd minute the team scored one more goal through a field effort. Not wanting to give Delhi Hockey to score any goal, Hockey Maharashtra maintained their pressure on the opponents D and they added the fourth goal in the 36thminute and lead the game 4-0. Delhi Hockey managed to break the shackles of Hockey Maharashtra to open their account in the 38th minute and post that all their efforts to score further was successfully stalled by the opponents. This resulted in Hockey Maharashtra taking a 4-1 win.

In the match between Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy and Hockey Haryana it was the former to stamp their win over the opponents 3-2. Not allowing the opponents to settle down or to find a rhythm, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy opened their account just four minutes into the game as Priyanka Wankhede scored through a field effort. Trailing the game Hockey Haryana made a comeback in the 18th minute to equalize as Monika did no mistake in cashing on the penalty corner. Just a minute before the end of first half, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy took the lead as Priyanka Wankhede stood tall to capitalize on another opportunity in the D. with 2-1 on the scorecard, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy increased the goal difference in the 41st minute and denting the hope of Hockey Haryana to bounce back. Just minutes left into the game Hockey Haryana scored their second goal through a penalty corner. But it was too late as they lost the match 2-3.

Results of the day-

Pool A Railway Sports Promotion Board 10 Navjot Kaur (3min- FG), Soundaraya Yendala (5min- FG), Punam Barla (10min- FG), Anuradha Devi Th (12min- FG, 33min- FG, 36min- FG, and 58min- FG), Lilima Minz (29min- FG), Anupa Barla (42min- FG), Sunita Lakra (50min- PC) vs Hockey Odisha 0

Pool A Hockey Maharashtra 4 Nikhat Shaikh (26 min-PC), Shehal Lagali (28 min-FG), Pooja Bhoyar (33 min-FG), Chaya Rathod (36 min-FG) vs Delhi Hockey 1 Ruby Khod (38 min-FG)

Pool B Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy 3 Priyanka Wankhede (4 min-FG, 29 min-FG, 41 min-FG) vs Hockey Haryana 2 Monika (18 min-FG), (56 min-PC)

Schedule (Monday, 27th April 2015)