Ranchi Royals move to third place with 4-1 win over JSW Soorma in men's HIL

Ranchi, Jan 16 (PTI) Ranchi Royals continued their winning run in the men's Hockey India League (HIL), registering their third win on the trot to prevail 4-1 over JSW Soorma Hockey Club in their final home game of the season here on Friday.

A brace from Tom Boon (20th, 22nd minutes) and goals from Mandeep Singh (47th) and Manmeet Singh Rai (14th) helped Ranchi Royals jump to third place on the points table.

Jeetpal (52nd) scored the only goal for Soorma.

It was an engaging start to the game with both teams looking to lay down the marker in the early exchanges.

JSW Soorma Hockey Club earned their first penalty corner within the first five minutes, creating the first set-piece opportunity of the game.

Despite three penalty corners in the first quarter, they couldn't find a way past Suraj Karkera in front of goal for Ranchi Royals.

Both the teams had eight circle entries in the first 15 minutes but it was the Royals who took the lead against the run of play after Sam Lane's clever ricochet found its way to Manmeet. The midfielder managed to guide the ball into the back of the net, putting his side in the ascendancy towards the end of the first quarter.

Having got the lead, the Ranchi Royals grew in confidence and began to spring passes around to stretch the Soorma defence.

They soon doubled their lead courtesy Boon scoring from close range after Lachlan Sharp's initial effort fell his way in the circle.

The Belgian then converted his dragflick from a penalty corner two minutes later, giving the Royals a three goal cushion as they dominated the contest heading into half time.

JSW Soorma Hockey Club had the majority of possession in the second half as they looked to find some momentum.

They were a whisker away from netting a goal before it was cleared off the line by Joshua Beltz, keeping Ranchi Royals' three goal advantage intact.

The hosts also had a couple of chances of their own, most notably with Lane's shot on target, in the third quarter where they controlled the tempo.

The Ranchi Royals put the result beyond all doubt early in the final quarter with Araijeet Singh Hundal setting up Mandeep. The latter rounded the Soorma keeper before scoring a fourth goal for his side, reflecting their supremacy in this contest.

With eight minutes to go in the contest, JSW Soorma Hockey Club continued to push forward and found the back of the net as Jeetpal scored a consolation for them. PTI SSC AM SSC AM AM