7th Senior Women's Hockey C'ship: RSPB to face Hockey Haryana in final

Rohtak (Haryana) [India], Apr 30 (ANI): Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) and hosts Hockey Haryana will today clash in the finals of 7th Senior National Championship 2017 (Women) 'A' Division. The two teams recorded contrasting victories in their respective semifinals to get to a shot at glory. Railway Sports Promotion Board kicked off the action yesterday in a thoroughly absorbing game against Hockey Madhya Pradesh. The defending champions started off much quicker than Hockey Madhya Pradesh, and despite a goal less opening quarter, never looked in trouble at all. In the second quarter, Neha opened the scoring with a PC conversion in the 19th minute, before Poonam Barla doubled the lead, with another PC in the 29th. Railway Sports Promotion Board went into half time with the lead. In the second half, Hockey Madhya Pradesh tried to impose themselves, but were consistently thwarted by a very disciplined Railway Sports Promotion Board defence, who held on and controlled the play. They held on for the win, and took the place in the finals. In the second semi final, hosts Hockey Haryana had to grind out a crucial victory against an equally competitive Association of Indian Universities team. A largely defensive game was sounded out with very few clear cut chances, ones that fell away, without affecting the score board. Both teams matched each other inch for inch, in midfield and the forward line. It took till the final quarter, and the last 10 minutes of game time for the opener to come. To the great joy of the spectators, it was Hockey Haryana's Pooja who scored it, converting a PC to give them the lead. Within two minutes, their lead was doubled, Reena picking up another PC conversion in the 54th minute, to seemingly draw Hockey Haryana away. Association of Indian Universities didn't give up though, Jyoti Gupta scoring a late goal in the 60th minute. In the end though, it wasn't enough, a Hockey Haryana held on for a win and secured the place in the finals. (ANI)