Narwal shines for Puneri Paltan

RANCHI:  Displaying good team work, Puneri Paltan went on to beat Haryana Steelers 37-25 during the Pro Kabaddi League encounter here at the Harivansh Tana Bhagat Indoor Stadium, Ranchi on Tuesday.

Playing their first game at Ranchi, Pune boys looked determined and dominated right from the word go as points kept trickling in.  

“We had a plan in place right from the start. We were prepared for the game and thought that we have to face the same set of Haryana Steelers who played the last match,” said Puneri Paltan coach BC Ramesh.

It was a determined Monu who struck again for Pune early on when he caught Wazir Singh in a tackle as Pune led 6-4. Haryana equalised when Kudeep Singh tackled Pune captain Deepak Hooda (7-7).

At half time Puneri Paltan were the ones who seemed to be in control as the score read 16-10 in their favour.

In the second half, Puneri Paltan continued with the same vigour and increased the lead.  Wazir Singh took the first raid and was excellently tackled by the strong Pune defence who  displayed good team work.

Later Pune defender Girish Ernak scored a good tackle as Pune surged ahead, as Sandeep Narwal completed 200 PKL raid points and a High Five.

“Our captain Wazir Singh’s performance was not that good.  Sometimes it happens that the main player is down and it affects the team.  Today we saw the same, Wazir was down and thus is impacted the others in the team,” said Haryana coach Rambir Khokhar.

Haryana also missed the services of Surender Nada and Mohit Chhillar, who are unwell and recuperating.

In the second match of the evening, Patna Pirates defeated Bengaluru Bulls 36-32.

RESULTS: 
Match 1: 
Puneri Paltan 37 (Sandeep Narwal 9, Rajesh Mondal 7, Monu 5, Deepak Hooda 4, Zia-ur Rahman 4, Girish Ernak 3) beat Haryana Steelers 25 (Surjeet Singh10, Kuldeep Singh 6, Vikas 4, Wazir Singh 3).
Top raider: Surjeet Singh (Haryana)
Top defender: Sandeep Narwal (Puneri Paltan)
Match 2: 
Patna Pirates 36 (Monu Goyat 12, Pardeep Narwal 11, Jaideep 3) bt Bengaluru Bulls 32 (Rohit Kumar 15, Rohit 3,  Ajay Kumar 3)
Top raider: Rohit Kumar (Bengaluru)
Top defender: Kuldeep Singh 
(Bengaluru Bulls)