Delhi Waveriders end league on a high

MUMBAI: Delhi Waveriders marched gloriously to their seventh victory as they outclassed Mumbai Magicians 5-3 in a Hockey India League match at the Mahindra stadium on Saturday. Already on top of the table, Delhi have accumulated 39 points after their final league game.
Mumbai suffered their seventh defeat from eight matches. They next play Kalinga Lancers on Sunday.
Mumbai were looking good despite conceding an early goal. They bustled around and put the Delhi defence under pressure. But Delhi were always two steps ahead and their quick restoration of lead through goals paid for them.
Delhi scored in the second minute through Yuvraj Walmiki after the ball was passed around by Sardar, Matt Gohdes and Akashdeep Singh. Mumbai replied through a Glenn Turner hit that found the narrowest of gaps.
Delhi retaliated quickly enough with Sardar again setting up Jason Wilson whose hit was deflected in by a diving Rajpal. Timothy Deavin scored with seconds left in the first half as Mumbai went into the break on level terms.
Delhi again scored in the opening minute of the second half, Akashdeep exchanging passes with Simon Child before reverse hitting it into the goal. Early in the fourth quarter, Rajpal swept down the left flank, exchanged passes with Wilson and ran across the goal and dived to convert the pass. Rupinder Pal Singh converted a penalty corner to make it 5-2 for Delhi before Turner reduced the margin in the 68th minute off a penalty corner.
Result: Delhi Waveriders 5 (Yuvraj Walmiki 9, Rajpal Singh 11, 54, Akashdeep Singh 36, Rupinder Pal Singh 58) bt Mumbai Magicians 3 (Glenn Turner 10, 68, Timothy Deavin 35)