Bombay Republicans clinched the women’s crown dethroning champions Central Railway by coasting to a 3-1 victory in the Women’s final match of the Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana’s 38th Victor D’Mello Memorial Invitational Rink Hockey Tournament 2019, organized under the auspices of the MHAL, and played at the Gymkhana’s floodlit tennis courts late Friday evening.
Bombay Republicans defender Sanggi Chanu won the Player of the tournament’ in the women’s competition of the Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana’s 38th Victor D’Mello Memorial Invitational Rink Hockey Tournament .
Meanwhile, Rebels SC continued with their impressive run of form and defeated Hockey Dadar 3-1 to bag the Veteran Men’s title.
The women’s final was a closely fought affair as both teams went on the offensive from the start but they failed to score in the first session. Immediately after switching ends, Republicans scored two quick goals through their consistent scorer Rijuta Mullick to take a firm grip of the match. Later, Rijuta’s teammate Jaswinder Kaur fired home the third goal to give Republicans a solid 3-0 lead before S. Ranjita netted a consolation goal for last year’s winners Central Railway.
In the veteran’s final Hockey Dadar got off to a solid start with Niren Pimenta scoring in the very first minute. Rebels did not take too long to get back into the game and five minutes later their dynamic forward Solomon Alexander swiftly pushed home from close to level the scores. But three minutes later he converted a penalty stroke to put his team in front.
Hockey Dadar had their chances to add to their tally but wasted a couple of sitters. Rebels finally scored the third goal with Solomon converting another penalty to make the issue safe.
Republicans defender Sanggi Chanu won the Player of the tournament’ award and Preeti Dubey was adjudged as the ‘Player of the final’. Solomon was later declared as the ‘Player of the tournament’, while Niren Pimenta won the ‘Player of the final’ award. Decathlon Sports presented a hockey each to the four award winners.
Results –
Women’s (final): Bombay Republicans 3 (Rijuta Mullick 2, Jaswinder Kaur) beat Central Railway 1 (S. Ranjita).
Player of the final: Preeti Dubey (Central Railway).
Player of the tournament: Sanggai Chanu (Bombay Republicans).
Veterans Men (final): Rebels SC 3 (Solomon Alexander 3) beat Hockey Dadar 1 (Niren Pimenta).
Player of the final: Niren Pimenta (Hockey Dadar).
Player of the tournament: Solomon Alexander (Rebels SC).