Mumbai: Bombay Republicans clinched the women’s crown dethroning champions Central Railway by 3-1 in the women’s final match of the Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana’s 38th Victor D’Mello Memorial Invitational rink hockey tournament, at the Gymkhana’s floodlit tennis courts. Rebels SC continued with their impressive run of form and defeated Hockey Dadar 3-1 to bag the men’s veteran 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 pulled one back for defending champions Central Railway.
Hockey Dadar got off to a good start with Niren Pimenta scoring in the very first minute. Rebels did not take too long to get back into the game, as Solomon Alexander swiftly pushed home from close to level the scores, and 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 (all finals)
Women’s (final): Bombay Republicans: 3 (Rijuta Mullick 2, Jaswinder Kaur) bt Central Railway: 1 (S Ranjita); Player of the final: Preeti Dubey (Central Railway); Player of the tournament: Sanggai Chanu (Bombay Republicans).
Veterans men: Rebels SC: 3 (Solomon Alexander 3) bt Hockey Dadar: 1 (Niren Pimenta); Player of the final: Niren Pimenta (Hockey Dadar); Player of the tournament: Solomon Alexander (Rebels SC).
