Hockey India League: Ranchi Royals come alive in a dead rubber to beat final-bound SG Pipers 5-2

Ranchi Royals celebrate during their 5-2 win against SG Pipers. (Photo: HIL)

Speaking minutes before the match, Ranchi Royals midfielder Neha Goyal rued the fact that they didn’t have a serious drag flicking threat as a reason for why they missed out on qualifying for the final. The erstwhile Odisha Warriors who won the title last season, riding on the quality of Dutch star Yibbi Jansen – the world’s great from Penalty Corners at the moment – didn’t manage to convert enough of their chances earlier in the season. But in a dead rubber, they came alive in front of their home fans in Ranchi, scoring twice from PCs to defeat SG Pipers 5-2 in the last league match of the women’s Hockey India League in Ranchi.

A clinical fourth-quarter display sealed the victory as the hosts finished third in the tournament. Lucina von der Heyde (2’, 47’) scored twice with her flicks, while Sangita Kumari (24’), and Hannah Cotter (55’, 60’) added field goals for the Royals, while Navneet Kaur (10’, 58’) netted a brace for the Pipers, who had already qualified for the final of the tournament.

SG Pipers began the contest with early pressing, but Royals quickly gained control and earned a penalty corner within the opening minute. Von der Heyde converted with the help of a wicked deflection in the 2nd minute to give the Royals an early lead. The goal allowed Royals to dictate the tempo for the next few minutes, before SG Pipers struck back through captain Navneet (10’), who found the back of the net from close range to restore parity.

The second quarter unfolded in end-to-end fashion with both teams trading early attacks. Royals’ persistence paid off when Sangita Kumari (24’), left unmarked inside the circle, fired home to restore the hosts’ lead. With the advantage back in their favour, the Royals controlled the tempo in the closing stages of the half to ensure they went into the break leading 2-1.

After a goalless third quarter, Royals took charge of the fourth quarter to put the result beyond doubt. Von der Heyde (47’) struck from a penalty corner again to score her second goal of the night and extend the hosts’ lead. Cotter then added two late goals in quick succession (55’, 60’) to end any hopes of a SG Pipers comeback. Pipers did manage to pull one back through Navneet (58’), who netted her second goal of the match.