Birsa Munda girls edge local outfit

Rourkela’s Birsa Munda Vidyapitha and Pune’s Krida Prabodhini posted contrasting wins in Super League matches of the Iffco 24th Nehru girls hockey tournament at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in the capital on Wednesday.

Opening the day’s proceedings, Birsa Munda Vidyapitha girls slowly got into rhythm to edge Mukhmelpur’s Government coeducation Senior Secondary School, 3-1 in a Pool A encounter.

Neha Lakra scored off a penalty corner to put the Rourkela team ahead in the 18th minute and the team held on to the lead till half time.

The local outfit pressed hard in the second half but late goals from Sunita Xaxa (58th) and Anjela Toppo (66th) saw the Rourkela girls surge ahead 3-0. Mukhelmpur School’s Tannu (Sr) managed to reduce the margin in the final minute off a penalty stroke. In Pool B, Krida Prabodhini handed a hockey lesson to NCC Directorate, posting a 12-1 win. The team led 7-0 at half time and pumped in another five in the second to reduce NCC to mere spectators.

Vaishali Phalaki, Akshata Dhekale and Pooja Shendage scored three goals each, while Rutuja Pisal (two) and Kajal Atpadkar were the other goal scorers.

Shaya Kaveramma was the lone scorer for NCC Directorate.

Later in Pool C, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Government Senior Secondary School, Tarn Taran, edged past Thenzawl’s Government Lallengvunga High School of Mizoram, 2-1.

Mitali opened the scoring for the Tarn Taran school in the ninth minute, which was negated by R. Lalneihpull three minutes later.

Karmanpreet Kaur put Tarn Taran school ahead again in the 24th minute, which proved to the winner in the end.