Sonam leads Himachal to title, Madhya Bharat finish third

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 25 

Skipper Sonam led from the front as Hockey Himachal registered a 1-0 win over Hockey Maharashtra to clinch the title on the concluding day of the 9th Hockey India Sub-Junior Women’s National Championship (B Division) in Sikar, Rajasthan, on Saturday.

In the battle of equals, both the finalists toiled hard to get the breakthrough till the third quarter. Himachal skipper then decided to take the matters in her hand and broke the deadlock in the 49th minute. 

The side successfully defended the lead in the remaining minutes of the match seal a 1-0 win. 

Earlier in the day, Hockey Madhya Bharat prevailed 5-2 over Hockey Uttarakhand to claim the third position. 

Aishwarya Dubey opened the account for Madhya Bharat in the seventh minute. However, Gungun Kashyap brought Uttarakhand back into the match in the 24th minute. 

Madhya Bharat then scored two goals in next three minutes to wrest initiative. Sneha Patel struck in the 26th minute, while skipper Shileima Khaidem hit home in the 27th minute to make it 3-1 for the Madhya Bharat. 

Chandni Katariya reduced the margin for Uttarakhand in the 35th minute, but a goal each by Sneha Patel (40th) and Shileima Khaidem (44th) ensured a comfortable win for Madhya Bharat.