The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Tiruchi emerges champion

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Thursday, Jun 07, 2007
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Tiruchi emerges champion

Hockey Correspondent

JUBILANT SQUAD: The Tiruchi team, which won the State junior inter-district championship. — Photo: V. Ganesan

Chennai: Tiruchi recorded a hockey triumph after a gap of 13 years in the junior inter-district championship, which concluded at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium on Wednesday. The 2-1 victory over the home team, Chennai, underscored the depth of talent available in the district centres such as Tiruchi and Tirunelveli.

Gallant as the Tiruchi boys were, it was not a surprise that they managed to stage a remarkable comeback and win the title after Chennai surged ahead within a few minutes from start. The penalty corner shot by S. Raja beat the defence lock, stock and barrel.

Unfazed by the deficit, the Tiruchi team regrouped its forces. Led commendably by Vinodh Royer, the attack gained ascendancy. Skipper Arul Stanley David pumped in a penalty corner for the equaliser.

The Tiruchi team managed to smother the pressure exerted by the Chennai attack spearheaded often by Rajasekharan. But close on half-time Vinodh Royer capped a fine effort which eventually proved the match-winner. Fastening on to pass from the middle, Royer dodged more than one defender to slot in the all-important goal amidst vociferous cheers from a modest gathering. Placed comfortably at 2-1 during halftime, the Tiruchi team ensured no advantage conceded to the Chennai attack. Dr. Babu Manoharan, Director, St. Joseph's College of Engineering, gave away the prizes in the presence of Mr. K. Jothikumaran, Secretary, Tamil Nadu Hockey Association.

The result (final): Tiruchi 2 (Arul Stanley David, Vinodh Royer) bt Chennai 1 (S. Raja).

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