RCF, Sonepat eves triumph
Anil Datt
Namdhari XI from Bhaini Sahib along with Punjab National Bank (Delhi), ONGC (Dehradun) and Punjab and Sind Bank (Jalandhar) secured berths in the semi finals in the ongoing inaugural Mahavir Real Estate All India Sahibzada Ajit Singh Prize Money Hockey Championship at Prithipal Singh Memorial AstroTurf Stadium of the Agricultural University campus here today.
Two matches were played in the women’s section for the Nirpjit Kaur Gill Memorial Trophy, in which Sonepat XI and Rail Coach Factory (RCF, Kapurthala) scripted victories to begin their campaign on a sound note. Sonepat XI outplayed Gwalior XI 3-1 while RCF eves blanked Ludhiana XI 5-0.
Neha Goel opened the account for Sonepat XI in the 17th minute and Kavita of Gwalior XI restrored parity in the 33rd minute through a penalty corner conversion. After changing ends, Sonepat XI pumped in two goals, from Kiran Dahiya (51st) and Neha Goel (57th), that saw them to come out triumphant.
The second match played between RCF, Kapurthala and Ludhiana XI turned out to be a one-sided affair as the former faced a little resistence and came out victors 5-0. All the goals were scored in the first session.
Anuradha Devi chipped in with two goals while Vartika Singh, Amandeep Kaur and Deepika Thakur scored one goal each to anchor their side to an easy win.
Meanwhile, chief organiser of the tournament, Dr Kulwant Singh Sohal clarified that the name of Yongesters’ XI from Chandigarh was reported as ‘Chandigarh XI’ errornously. “The Chandigarh Hockey Association has not fielded any team in this tornament and the one participating here is comprised of school and college girls from Chandigarh,” added Sohal.