Warriors hunt down the Shers

HYDERABAD: The Marathas showed the spirit of the warriors to fight back the rampaging Sher-e-Jallandhar. Already out of contention for the title, the Maratha Warriors came back gallantly to slay Sher-e-Jallandhar 2-1 and improve their chances of finishing third in the Premier Hockey League.
Down by a goal in the 15th minute as the Sher-e-Jallandhar, needing full three points from their match in order to get closer to table-toppers Hyderabad Sultans, came out with all guns blazing.But the Warriors soaked the early pressure
Pakistani veteran Kasif Kawad and centre forward Vijay Alphonso scored two opportunistic goals to seal the victory.
Their skipper Viren Rasquinha was his usual efficient self. With this victory, the Warriors, with 10 points from seven matches, moved into the third place behind Sultans (16 pts) and Sher-e-Jallandhar (11). Bangalore Hi-Fliers at eight and Chennai Veerans with three points are the other two teams in the competition.
The Shers dominated the first quarter going into the attack mode even before the Warriors had settled down. They forced four short corners in the first nine minutes itself but could not score. Baljit Singh blasted one over the goal while two of his drag flicks slammed into the defender.
On the fourth one, skipper Gagan Ajit Singh tried a good old direct hit but Maratha custodian Baljit Singh blocked it out. In the field Prabhjot Singh missed a good chance off a pass by Gagan.