Majinder majic lands Northern title

DECEMBER 23: Reigning champions Northern Railway, with nine internationals in their ranks, extended their lease on the All-India Inter-Rai...

DECEMBER 23: Reigning champions Northern Railway, with nine internationals in their ranks, extended their lease on the All-India Inter-Railway Women8217;s hockey title when they thrashed Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, 5-1 in the final at the Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate, today.

The highlight of the game was a hat-trick by inside-right Majinder Kaur. Centre-forward Pritam Rani helped herself to a brace by scoring the other two opportunistic goals.

In the match for the third place, hosts Western Railway trounced North-Eastern Railway with two goals in each half. Pakpi Devi 2 and Mamta Kharab 2 were the goal-getters.

Northern, who had struggled to beat RCF 3-2 in the league phase, began in whirlwind fashion and had their opponents on the defensive from the very outset. But some good saves by RCF goalkeeper Atwari Munda and the prodigality of their forwards prevented them from finding the target much earlier than they did in the 26th minute. Northern8217;s Majinder wrested the lead with an angular top-of-the-circle carpet drive to the right of goalkeeper Atwari.

The outcome of the match was then predictable in Northern8217;s favour when Majinder capped a solo effort in the 33rd minute. The goal, however, was disputed by the RCF players as umpire Happy Mann had first blown the whistle for a foul before Majinder could push goalwards. The umpire applied the advantage rule and awarded the goal on second thoughts. Play was held up for a brief spell before wiser counsel prevailed and the protesting RCF players resumed play even though the umpire stuck to her guns.

RCF defender Renu Bala kept her side8217;s dwindling hopes alive when she brought off two splendid goalline saves after goalkeeper Atwari was beaten just before half-time. Renu frustrated attempts by right-winger Fardinha Ekka and spearhead Pritam.

RCF, who forced two penalty-corners in the opening session, almost scored on the first occasion. Renu8217;s powerful hit beat Northern goalkeeper Suman Deswal but Renu had the mortification of seeing her effort being saved on the goalline by Northern8217;s Sita Gusain.

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Majinder completed her hat-trick in the 44th minute. She was engaged in a fine passing bout with inside-left Kamla Dalal before making it 3-0 for Northern.

Pritam Rani made it 4-0 for Northern by scoring from a goalmouth scrimmage in the 60th minute. She then rounded-off the tally in the last minute after Mukta Xalco had netted RCF8217;s consolation goal in the 68th minute following a penalty-corner.