Monica’s brace help Chandigarh clinch title

Anmol Rattan

Ludhiana

SKIPPER MONICA led the way with two goals to help Chandigarh registered a 3-0 win over Western Railways in the final of the 12th Mohinder Partap Singh Memorial Women Hockey Tournament at the Prithipal Singh Memorial Astro Turf Stadium ,PAU, Ludhiana, on Monday .

Displaying fine stick work and coordination, Chandigarh team went into the offensive mode right from the word go pushing Western Railways — three times finalist — on the back foot.

Chandigarh dominated the proceedings but failed to capitalise on six-penalty corners which they earned in the first 30 minutes of the first half. Eventually it was Monica, who broke the deadlock with a fine field goal in the 34th minute.

Chandigarh were leading 1-0 at the end of first half. After changing ends, Chandigarh mounted pressure, but were kept at bay by Western Railways. Jyoti sounded the board in the 56th minute to put Western Railways out of contention. Monica completed the rout when she converted a penalty corner in 62nd minute to help her team seal the match 3-0.

Earlier in the day, MP Academy thrashed Northern East Railways 6-1. Shyama of MP drew the first blood in the 7th minute. Sahi pulled back an equaliser for Northern East Railways through a fielding goal in the 10th minute. Thereafter, it was MP Academy show as they scored five more goals in the 18th, 31st, 55th, 58th and 62nd minutes, respectively, to secure an easy win in a inconsequential match. Deputy Speaker, Punjab, Nirmal Singh Kahlon and Chief Commissioner of Income Tax Department, Punjab, M.S. Rai gave away the prizes to the winners.