Week 2 of the Coal India Hockey India League proved to be an exceptional one for Ranchi Rays, who recorded three successive victories to storm to the top of the league table.
In week one, the Rays bounced back from a 2-0 defeat against Jaypee Punjab Warriors in their opening game by claiming a 4-2 win at Uttar Pradesh Wizards, with team captain Ashley Jackson scoring a late penalty corner double to seal maximum points.
The England and Great Britain midfielder has continued to be an inspirational force for Ranchi, inspiring his side to a trio of wins on home soil.
Jackson netted both goals in Ranchi’s 2-1 triumph over Simon Child’s Delhi Waveriders on Tuesday and scored a crucial leveller in Thursday’s meeting with eastern rivals Kalinga Lancers before Australian international Tim Deavin sealed a 3-2 victory with a fourth quarter strike.
In their most recent match, a final quarter penalty corner effort from set-piece specialist Sandeep Singh earned the Rays a revenge win over Jaypee Punjab Warriors.
The 5-4 victory leaves Ranchi very much in charge of their own destiny at the half way point of the tournament, while the Warriors now find themselves fourth in the league standings.
Kalinga Lancers, captained by Germany legend Moritz Fürste, currently sit second in the league table, having won three and lost two of their five matches played so far.
A huge 10-2 win away at Uttar Pradesh Wizards last Monday came as a result of five field goals, which count double in the Coal India Hockey India League.
Australian Kookaburras star Glenn Turner netted twice in the contest, with compatriot Aran Zalewski also on target alongside India internationals Lalit Upadhyay and Dharamvir Singh.
Following their defeat to Ranchi, the Lancers claimed a fine 6-4 away triumph over Dabang Mumbai courtesy of crucial field goals from Upadhyay and Englishman Adam Dixon to remain very much in the hunt.
Coach Cedric D’Souza and his Delhi Waveriders lost in their first home match of this season’s competition as they went down 6-4 to Uttar Pradesh Wizards today. This will come as some disappointment to Delhi having claimed an impressive three wins and one loss in four matches on the road.
Dabang Mumbai are the only winless team in this year’s competition, a situation they will be hoping to rectify on Wednesday in their home match against in-form Ranchi.
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