Mumbai: Bombay Republicans showed excellent understanding and perfect teamwork as they curbed the aspirations of Coorg Sports Club by romping to a fluent 6-3 victory in a fast-paced and exciting Men’s final of the Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana’s 38th Victor D’Mello Memorial Invitational Rink Hockey Tournament 2019, organised under the auspices of the MHAL, and played at the Gymkhana’s floodlit tennis courts. Leading Bombay Republicans charge to victory was the strike combination of Darshan Gaonkar, who notched a fine hat-trick and versatile forward Venkatesh Devkar scored one goal made a couple assists which made the difference.
Venkatesh opened the scoring with an early strike in the fourth minute before Darshan got into the scoring act with two quick goals. Later, Moses Pullanthara struck the fourth goal to give Republicans a 4-0 lead. The Coorg outfit who were unable to assert their hold on the match managed to reduce the deficit when Somanna B.P. scored from a snap effort just before the end of the first half. Enjoying a solid 4-1 lead Republicans faced a bit of a challenge from the Coorg outfit who tried their best to get back into the match. Republicans scored two more goals through Darshan who completed his hat-trick and Bhim Batala to secure their win. Coorg SC managed to reduce the margin of defeat with Machaiah P.B. and Nitesh M. scoring a goal each.
Machaiah P.B. of Coorg SC was named Player of the final’ while Darshan was adjudged ‘Player of the tournnament’, both received hockey sticks presented by Decathlon Hockey. Young Coorg SC goalkeeper Prateik Splanki was named as the ‘Most promising goalkeeper of the tournament’. The Bombay Republicans teams received the Victor D’Mello Memorial trophy and a cash award of Rs 25,000 from Chief Guest, Clarence Lobo, a Dronacharya Award recipient while Coopg SC were presented with the runner-up trophy and a cash prize of Rs 15,000.
Results – Men’s (final): Bombay Republicans 6 (Darshan Gaonkar 3, Venkatesh Devkar, Moses Pullanthara, Bhim Batala) beat Coorg SC 3 (Somanna B.P., Machaiah P.B., Nitesh M.).
Player of the final: Machaiah P.B. (Coorg SC). Player of the tournament: Darshan Gaonkar (Bombay Republicans). Most promising goalkeeper: Prateik Solanki (Coorg SC).
