Wizard, Warriors play out exciting draw

Uttar Pradesh Wizards and Jaypee Punjab Warriors finished 2-2 to register the first draw of the second edition of Hero Hockey India League (HHIL) at the Dhyan Chand Stadium here on Sunday.

It was a free-flowing contest between two evenly-matched teams.  The Wizards started on an aggressive note and earned a penalty corner early but skipper V R Raghunath flicked the ball straight to Jaypee Punjab Warriors goalkeeper Stockmann. But it was Jaypee Punjab Warriors who took the lead in the sixth minute through Jake Whetton’s field goal after he was set up by S V Sunil. Jaypee Punjab Warriors’ joy, however, was shortlived as the Wizards drew level six minutes later. 

David Alegre (12th minute) equalised for the visitors from a rebound after Stockmann denied Luke Doerner from a penalty corner. The Warriors surged ahead once again when Satbir Singh (50th) scored after being set brilliantly up by Simon Orchard. Meanwhile, Delhi Waveriders prevailed over Kalinga Lancers 4-3 in a tense match at Bhunaneshwar with Simon Child scoring two goals.