Railways trounce Haryana to win national women’s hockey title

SONEPAT - Railways trounced Haryana 7-1 to win the Senior National Women’s Hockey Championship at the Motilal Nehru Sports School here Sunday.

Railways, studded with India team players, led 5-1 at the breather. In the absence of international Mamta Kharab due to injury, Haryana, led by India skipper Surinder Kaur, lacked the spark upfront.

Earlier, a hat-trick by Elin Lakra enabled Orissa to beat Punjab 5-3 to finish third.

The Railways meant business as captain Saba Anjum deflected a penalty corner home in the 2nd minute. The second goal came 10 minutes later with striker Rani Rampal slotting past goalkeeper Savita after being set up by Chanchan Devi.

The Railways appeared to go on a rampage as they found the target again in quick succession with two goals in as many minutes.

Midfielder Asunta Lakra first struck a blinder in the 14th minute and Deepika Thakur made no mistake as she struck past Haryana defenders Jaspreet Kaur and Jaswinder in the 15th minute.

The Railways’ domination continued as they found their fifth goal in the 27th minute with Jasjeet Kaur Handa making no mistake.

Haryana were able to get a consolation goal two minutes before tne half time with a soft hit penalty corner by full back Sandeep Kaur which rolled past Railways goalkeeper Deepika Murty.

The hosts, however, put up a semblance of a fight in the second half as they fell back defending inside their striking circle, thus denying their rival forwards Rani, Jasjeet, Saba and Chanchan space.

However, Railways again found themselves on the score sheet in the 53rd minute with Rani striking from a pass by Kirandeep Kaur, while defender Joydeep Kaur rounded off the tally from a 66th minute penalty corner conversion to script a fluent victory.