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Hockey
By Kirti Patil
The Indian Railways team that won the 52nd senior women's National hockey championship in Lucknow on Saturday. — Photo: V. Sudershan
Fleet-footed striker Sanggai Ibemhal Chanu struck a brace as Railways could easily afford to miss a penalty stroke taken by Jyoti Sunita Kullu, on way to its 19th straight decoration since it first won in 1980-81 Indore Nationals. After an eventful progress, Universities found a massive hurdle in the final. For the most part, the game was played in the universities' `campus' as Railways' midfield rarely allowed the ball to pass by. Still, the assembly of 16 amateur students put up a brave challenge to the might of Railways squad — a mirror image of the India team. Led by India captain Suraj Lata Devi, Railways shot into the lead in the fourth minute, through Suman Bala's grounder on the first penalty corner. Minutes before the goal came about, Pritam Rani Siwach had two attempts but missed scoring. With the entire front-line on the attack, Railways pressed for the opening in the third minute. Sanggai moved from the left, crossed the ball to Jyoti, who found Manjinder Kaur waiting in the semicircle. The ball was passed between three more sticks before it reached Pritam, who pushed it wide. In the tenth minute, Suraj Lata earned a penalty stroke for Railways when her push into the goal was carried just at the goal-line. A complacent Jyoti scooped the ball wide off the right post into the stands. In the 24th minute, Jyoti made an excellent run from the middle and gave a good pass to Pritam, but the two strikers had no other support against six defenders. Three minutes later, Jyoti again raced into the university side with Pritam to complement her. After an ensuing melee the ball was cleared and Pritam clearly scooped it in. But officially, the goal was awarded to Kamala Dalal. After having squandered four penalty corners — twice the universities' goal-keeper and captain Neha W. made commendable saves — Railways converted its sixth through Sumrai Tete just at the stroke of the half-time. Sanggai, who had been setting up several raids, was rewarded in the 40th minute. She moved up from the left flank, crossed the ball to Sumrai in the middle but the onrushing defenders forced Railways to take the attack to the right. Meenakshi took it deeper before releasing it into the middle for Sanggai to score. In the counter-attack, the university girls earned their first and the only penalty corner of the match. Nothing much could be achieved as they could hardly threaten Railways defenders and international goal-keeper Helen Mary. Sanggai worked marvellously again. Her penchant for snatching the ball without fouling the opponent fetched her many chances. In the 47th minute, Sanggai cleared the ball from the left flag for an unmarked Manjinder. With an open goal in front and just the 'keeper to beat, the former India captain slammed in for a 5-0 lead. The universities' front-row was left without any work. India campers Sandeep Kaur and Sadhana Singh, who starred for their team in the previous matches, were hardly fed by their mid-field. So much so that Sandeep withdrew herself into the back but Railways was unstoppable. With just two minutes remaining for the full-time, Sanggai completed the Railways' tally on a move made by Suraj Lata and complemented by Pritam. Earlier in the morning, Haryana defeated Punjab 3-1 to take the third place. Harjinder Kaur, Ramneek Kaur and Balwinder were the scorers for Haryana, while Baljit Kaur struck the consolation goal for Punjab. The results: Final: Railways 6 (Sanggai Ibemhal Chanu (40th & 68th), Suman Bala (4th), Kamala Dalal (27th), Sumrai Tete (34th), Manjinder Kaur (47th)) bt Indian Universities 0. Third place: Haryana 3 (Harjinder Kaur (21st), Ramneek Kaur (36th), Balwinder Kaur (62nd) bt Punjab 1 (Baljit Kaur 69th).
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