The Hindu : Sport / Volleyball : Western Railway in Super League

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Sunday, Mar 04, 2007
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Western Railway in Super League

Principal Correspondent

PAYYANNUR: In the bitter battle for a berth in the Super League, Western Railway nosed ahead of Central Railway on Saturday.

With a 25-20, 18-25, 25-20, 21-25, 15-12 win in the last match of the women's event in the National volleyball league, Western qualified for the Super League to be held in Kochi from March 7. Western won all its three matches to top Group II, while Central was placed second.

SAI, Thalassery, which made an impression here, though it finished third, will also play in Kochi, according to K.T. Abdul RahmanS secretary, Kerala Volleyball Association. "SAI will play as the fourth team in the women's Super League, as the host State's entry," he said.

Since both the Railway teams in focus on Saturday are based in Maharashtra, and not in Kerala, they needed a victory to advance.

Shibi's superb effort

For Western to win the crucial encounter, it needed another superlative effort from its skipper K.J. Shibi, who has been outstanding in this tournament. She jump-served and spiked with authority to frustrate a more balanced rival side. Fittingly it was a smash from her gave Western the final point in the match that lasted an hour and 27 minutes.

Shibi was well supported by Anusha Mukesh, Neethu Sibi, A.J. Sheeja, T.V. Binila and Anitta Mathew. For Central, skipper Priyanka Bora, impressed with her allround skills once again.

In a men's match late on Friday, South Central Railway defeated Karnataka Police 25-11, 22-25, 25-15, 25-15.

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