Mumbai Marines torpedoed Chennai Cheetahs’ semifinal hopes with a comprehensive 4-1 victory in the final league encounter of the Bridgestone World Series Hockey at the MHA-Mahindra Stadium here on Friday. 
The Marines, who had no chance of advancing even with a victory, spoilt their southern rivals’ chances with a gritty effort. For the Marines, Xess Banmali opened the scoring in the third minute, while Ajmer Singh doubled the tally in the 32nd minute. Troy Sutherland made it 3-0 in the 62nd minute. Though draf-flick specialist Imran Warsi reduced the margin in the 65th minute for Cheetahs, Aijub Ekka sealed the match in favour of Marines with a clean conversion in the 70th minute. Cheetahs, who needed nothing less than a victory to push out Strykers and finish third in the league, failed in their endeavours. Their drag-flick expert Imran Warsi failed to beat rival custodian Adrian D’Souza till the fag end of the game.
Wizards win
Delhi Wizards finished their World Hockey Series on a high outlasting Sher-e-Punjab 7-5 in the last league match of the World Series Hockey at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Friday, adds DHNS.
Skipper Shakeel Abassi slotted home thrice (37th, 42nd, 60th) while Vivek Gupta (29th, 54th) came up with a brace for the Wizards. Victo Singh (13th min) and Rajpal Singh (57th min) scored a goal each. For Punjab, Gagandeep Singh (8th) and Karmjit Singh (53rd) scored apiece while Prabhjot Singh sounded the board thrice (31st, 67th, 68th ). The victory was Wizards' sixth in 14 matches and fourth at home. They, with 19 points, moved to sixth position in the table ahead of Bhopal Badshahs and Mumbai Marines.
