Marines fall to Comets charm

Comets,who have made a habit of striking early goals to put their rivals on the backfoot early,deployed the same strategy against the Marines with initial success but the visitors came back strongly to neutralise their three-goal lead. That is before Robert Green struck the winner from what appeared to be an abortive penalty corner a minute before the hooter,to give the Comets a famous victory and full points.

Winger Ramandeep Singh turned fully to tap in a cross from the right flank in as early as the third minute to give the Comets a dream start. Thereafter,Devinder Walmiki,with his brlliant interceptions,came in their way to deny them any further leeway.

Penalty-corner expert Gurjinder Singh,who failed to convert with the first three thwarted each time by Walmiki’s athleticism and anticipation,sent his low drag to the left netting in his fourth attempt to enhance the lead.

The Marines forwards came charging in the second quarter,and penetrated Comets’ territory with vengeance,but the fitter and faster hosts overcrowded them to deny any elbow room. Sharp-shooter Amir Khan fittingly deflected an Adrian D’Souza’s rebound to post what at that juncture appeared an unassailable 3-0 lead.

The Marines though gave an early hint of their intention with a goal in the dying seconds of the lemon time. One of the young finds of the WSH,Vanmali Xess cut a high feed that came his way in the middle of the circle,and then as the ball was falling,he whacked it high to bring life into the contest.

The sharp and shrewd Troy Sutherland reduced the scoreline when in a quick-reflex action,he picked up a fast-moving ball that came after a fellow forward unsuccessfully tried to control a high ball,and cut its direction and velocity,to bang in the middle of the net. Sutherland’s superb goal set the pace with each side leaving no stone unturned to test the goal.

Marines,who missed three penalty corners,used the fourth one to finally bring parity. In the indirect penalty corner drill,Sutherland scooped the ball from close quarter,and it hit Gurjinder Singh’s right leg which was overlooked by umpire Savio but the Comets got it right through referral. Ajmer Singh had no difficulty in striking the ball home. The remaining 15 minutes witnessed brilliant hockey from both sides. Green then came on gamely to provide the spark that the Comets needed to script another great win.