Chennai’s 4-1 win catapult them to move 2nd in points table

BANGALORE: Chennai Cheetahs scored in each of the four quarters to spank Karnataka Lions 4-1 in their World Series Hockey match and jump to the second spot in the points table, on Saturday.

With this win, Chennai now are joint second with Bhopal Badshahs with 13 points while Karnataka remained at bottom of the eight-team table with nine points.

Vikram Pillay (13), Imran Warsi (33), Adam Sinclair (43) and S Shivamani (68) scored a goal each in Karnataka’s victory. It could have been a brace of field goals for Sinclair but his strike in the fourth quarter was disallowed.

Vinayak Bijwad (37) scored the only goal for the hosts. Chennai could conceded goals in the first half but thanks to brilliant saves made by its custodian Santosh, the visitors survived.

Pillay put Chennai ahead when he converted a penalty stroke in the 13th minute. Pakistani import Imran Varsi then converted penalty corner in the dying minutes of the second quarter to double the lead.

Karnataka goalkeeper Devesh Chauhan, who actually did a fantastic job for his side, could not stop that fierce and accurate shot from Warsi.

Two minutes later, Bangalore got a chance to comeback in the side and Vinayak found the net after his teammates had almost blew away the penalty corner chance.

Adam Sinclair made it 3-1 for Chennai when he dribbled past Karnataka defenders and his reverse shot sounded the board in the 43th minute.

S Shivamani completed the tally for his side with his brilliant field goal with two minutes into the hooter.