New entrants Reliance from Raigad and Pune’s Deccan Gymkhana took the men’s and women’s honours with resounding wins over their respective opponents in the YMCA International Invitational Water-polo championships, held at their pool at Agripada here on Sunday night. In fact, Reliance also bagged the boys under-17 and under-14 trophies.
Women’s champions Deccan Gymkhana team at the YMCA International Invitational Water-polo championships.
Formidable Reliance dominated right from the start to beat PM Hindu Bath 13-3 in men’s final. But for the first quarter (3-1), the Hindu Bath side could not make much impression. They were blanked out in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. As the Raigad boys relaxed a bit in the decider, the Hindu Bath managed to add two goals. For Raigad, Sarang Vaidya was the star performer with seven goals to his credit.
However, the match between Maharashtra Police and Deccaan Gymkhana for the third place in the men’s section was a well-fought affair with the Policemen scoring a narrow 11-9 win.
Pune’s seasoned Deccan Gymkhana women used all their experience to overpower PM Hindu Bath 9-3. Meghana Chitale, top-scored with four goals. She was well backed by Arohi Karmarkar, who herself was credited with three goals.(3).
The Reliance’s, too, carried home the boys under-17 and under-14 trophies.
Results of all the finals:
Men: Reliance (Raigad) 13 (Sarang Vaidya 7, Arohi Karmarkar 3) bt PM Hindu Bath 3 .
Women: Deccan Gym (Pune) 9 (Meghana Chitale 4, Arohi Karmarkar 3) bt PM Hindu Bath 3.
Girls: U-17: Winners: PM Hindu Bath. Runners-up: Police Swimming Pool. (Most Valuable player: Kushi Deshmukh (PMHB).
Boys U-17: Winners: Reliance (Raigad).Runners-up: PM Hindu Bath.
Boys U-14: Winners: Reliance (Raigad).Runners-up: PM Hindu Bath.