Resilent and resourceful, Ranchi Rays emerged champions of the third Hero Hockey India League with a never-say-die attitude, managing to beat goalie of Jaap Stockmann’s calibre in the tie-break after the regulation score tied 2-2 with tournament favourite Jaypee Punjab Warriors.
The new franchise, which came into being in place of first edition winners Ranchi Rhinos, exhibited a clinical approach to their game in the final today in the well branded Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi.
Ranchi Rays, coached by Indian Harendra Singh, fell in arrears twice, but both times came from behind strongly to tie the exciting final 2-2 at regulation sixty minutes.
A barren first half was followed by exciting two quarters in which no quarter was given or taken.
Both teams matched move with move, though often one felt Punjab, a pre-tournament favourite, showed dominance with renewed Talwinder Singh and Jake Whetton proving to be a thorn in the flesh of Ranchi defence.
Kieran Govers broke the goal deadlock in 39th minute after getting a short but accurate and timely pass from manin form Jake Whetton.
In the 42nd minute Ranchi Rays looking at equalizing got their first penalty corner and all eyes were on Ashley Jackson to convert the opportunity.
While Ashely was on target but Jaap Stockmann saved and Stanli Minz scored on the counter attack giving his team the much required equalizer goal. The third quarter ended with 1-1 on the board.
Right into the fourth quarter, Ranchi Rays trying to put pressure on their famed rival, Jaypee Punjab Warriors. Four minutes before the hooter, Christopher Ciriello taking the flick made no mistake in finding the nets and took the score to 2-1. Next minute Ranchi Rays attacked and scored the equalizer goal as Barry Middleton put the ball past Jaap Stockmann (2-2).
In the shoot-out, Jaypee Punjab Warriors failed to get past an agile Lovell Tyler in the very first attempt when Simon Orchard failed to convert. While Christopher Ciriello and Dharamvir Singh scored easily in the next two attempts, SV Sunil and Robert Hammond’s consecutive misses allowed Ranchi Rays to win and lift the glittering trophy.
Barry Middleton got the goal of the match award for the final while his team’s goalie Tyler Lovell the man of the match for finals award.
TOURNAMENT AWARDS:
Winners 2015 (Team Award): Rs 2.50 Crores and Trophy Ranchi Rays
Runner Up 2015 (Team Award): Rs 1.25 Crores Jaypee Punjab Warriors
Third Place 2015 (Team Award): Rs 75.00 Lakhs Delhi Waveriders
Hero Most Valuable Player of the Tournament (Individual Award): Rs 25.00 Lakhs and Trophy Ashley Jackson
Ponty Chadha Upcoming Player of the Tournament (Individual Award): Rs 20.00 Lakhs and Trophy Harmanpreet Singh
Dhruv Batra Motivator of the Tournament (Individual Award): Rs 20.00 Lakhs and Trophy PR Sreejesh
Airtel Maximum Goals of the Tournament (Team Award): Rs 10.00 Lakhs and Trophy Jaypee Punjab Warriors