Tamil Nadu Dragons reclaim top spot with 3-2 win over Delhi SP Pipers

Back
_~ David Harte’s heroics helps Dragons clinch the crucial win ~ _
Tamil Nadu Dragons held their nerves to clinch a 3-2 thrilling win over Delhi SG Pipers here at the Hero Men’s Hockey India League at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium
Experienced goalie David Harte remained the cynosure of Dragons’ defence while goals by Jip Janssen (6′), Nathan Ephraums (19′) and Blake Govers(21′) ensured Dragons a well-deserved win that took them to the top of the pool standings. For the Pipers’, Tomas Domene (2′, 37′) was the only one to get his name on the goal sheet.
Earlier in the first quarter, it was the Delhi SG Pipers who got off to
a rollicking start with an opening goal in only the 2nd minute of the
match. It was a PC superbly converted by Tomas Domene. He picked up a fine injection to fiercely flick the ball past the experienced David
Harte. Unfortunately for them, a defensive error saw them concede a PC
in the 6th minute and lose the 1-0 lead. Jip Janssen showcased great form to convert from the PC, finding the centre of the net, giving
little chance for Pipers’ defenders to stop him. This was Janssen’s
fifth goal of the league.
It took little time for the Tamil Nadu Dragons, who have been in greatnick in the league so far, to take the lead in the second quarter. In the 19th minute, Nathan Ephraums struck a splendid field goal fetching his team a 2-1 lead while Blake Govers struck another brilliant field goal in the 21st minute. The game catapulted in Dragons’ favour in aspan of just two minutes.
But the Pipers bounced back in the third water when a crucial video
referral went in their favour with the third umpire awarding them a
penalty stroke. Tomas, taking the strike, made no mistake in putting
this past Harte narrowing the goal deficit to 2-3. The following few
minutes saw both teams trade PCs but their could convert.
The final quarter was intense with the Pipers’ pushing to equalise
while Dragons dearly held on to their 3-2 lead. A good video referral by the Pipers saw them win their fifth PC of the match in the 49th minute.
Tomas taking charge of the dragflick did well with a powerful strike butHarte was excellent at the goalpost. Even though Jarmanpreet picked up the rebound from Harte’s save, he could not put it past him, missing out on a golden chance to equalise. With a little over four minutes left,
Pipers won another PC. Despite a re-award, they couldn’t make the most of it. Whetton, playing a Captain’s game, fetched a crucial PC for the Pipers in the 57th minute. But the chance went begging with Harte remaining the cynosure of Dragons’ defence and deservedly won the Player of the match award.
Real Time Analytics