1st SNBP Senior Women’s Hockey Tourney: Railways Have the Last Laugh

Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) showed who is the boss clinching the inaugural SNBP Senior Women’s Hockey Tournament edging out Pritam Siwach Women Hockey Academy, Sonepat by the odd goal in three at the Shivaji Stadium, New Delhi. The Railway women having the likes of former internationals such as Preeti Dubey and Anupa Barla in their ranks, were pushed on the backfoot in the early exchanges by the resilience of Pritam Siwach Women Hockey Academy girls, who could not quite profit from their dominance. Railways Sports Promotion Board steadily hit the groove in the second quarter and scored the go-ahead goal via Karishma Yadav and ensured they maintained the slender lead at half-time.

Pritam Siwach Women Hockey Academy got themselves back into the contest when Tamanna Yadav found the target late in the third quarter. Both teams lacked clincial finishing for the numerous opportunities they created. Gagandeep Kaur converted a penalty corner, firing home a drag-flick in the final quarter that churned out to be the championship-winner.

Railways Sports Promotion Board were awarded the Nehru Trophy and a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, while Pritam Siwach Women Hockey Academy were awarded the Nehru Trophy and a cash prize of Rs 50,000. Pritam Siwach Women Hockey Academy captain Bharti Saroha was named the Best Player of the Tournament and received a cash prize of Rs 25,000.

The tournament was sponsored by Pune-based SNBP Group.