Sarita nets a brace, NCR lift hockey trophy
LUCKNOW : B Sarita Devi struck a brace as North Central Railway (NCR), Prayagraj won the 3rd UP State Women’s Hockey Championship, outplaying Lucknow Hostel 3-1, at the Padma Shri Mohd Shahid Stadium here on Sunday.
Shashtra Seema Bal scored a thrilling solitary goal win against Northern Eastern Railway (NER) to finish third.
With better strategy and proper use of small passes, NCR dominated the proceedings from the very start.
Sarita Devi went ahead in the 14th minute, crossing the opponent’s defense and keeping the shot going past to the Hostel’s goalkeeper.
Things didn’t change much even after a change in the ends, NCR converted a penalty corner in the 32nd minute through Diksha Tiwari (2-0).
This, however, alerted the Hostel girls, who raised their attacks. Even they managed to sneak into rivals’ penalty circle on a number of occasion, they couldn’t convert the opportunities into goals.
Sarita Devi had her second in the 44th minute (3-0). International player Mumtaz Khan scored the consolation for the Hostel in the 51st minute (1-3).
The match for third place turned out to be a tough one for the two sides. In the 51st minute, Ranjita struck the all-important. The winners NCR got the biggest purse of Rs 1 lakh, whereas Lucknow Hostel and NER were given Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000, respectively.
Coaches of the first three teams were also given Rs 10,000, Rs 8,000 and Rs 5,000, respectively.
SOMJEET SHINES
Somjeet Singh struck 70-ball 125, which contained 29 boundaries as hosts Uttar Pradesh defeated Rajasthan by 184 runs in the 2nd National Wheel Chair Cricket Tournament here on Sunday. Irfan and Abhay Singh also scored 33 and 20.
HIMALAYAN CLUB WON
Himalayan Club defeated Khandane Awadh by five wickets to win the Neelam Devi Memorial Tournament, at the Pt Raas Bihari Tewari Stadium here on Sunday. Needing 134 in 20 overs, Himalayan Club romped home in 19.3 overs. Adil and Aamir scored 55 and 49, respectively.
KABADDI TOURNEY
Durga Club defeated Laxmibai Club by 41-35 to win the Rajesh Bajpayee Memorial Women’s Kabaddi Tournament, at the RD Memorial Public School ground here on Sunday. Shikha for the winners and Komal for the losers excelled.