~ David Harte’s heroics helps Dragons clinch the essential win ~
Rourkela, 13 January 2025: Tamil Nadu Dragons held their nerves to clinch a 3-2 thrilling win over Delhi SG Pipers right here on the Hero Males’s Hockey India League on the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium on Monday. Skilled goalie David Harte remained the cynosure of Dragons’ defence whereas targets by Jip Janssen (6′), Nathan Ephraums (19′) and Blake Govers (21′) ensured Dragons a well-deserved win that took them to the highest of the pool standings. For the Pipers’, Tomas Domene (2′, 37′) was the one one to get his title on the objective sheet.
Earlier within the first quarter, it was the Delhi SG Pipers who received off to a rollicking begin with a gap objective in solely the 2nd minute of the match. It was a PC beautifully transformed by Tomas Domene. He picked up a wonderful injection to fiercely flick the ball previous the skilled David Harte. Sadly for them, a defensive error noticed them concede a PC within the sixth minute and lose the 1-0 lead. Jip Janssen showcased nice type to transform from the PC, discovering the centre of the online, giving little likelihood for Pipers’ defenders to cease him. This was Janssen’s fifth objective of the league.
It took little time for the Tamil Nadu Dragons, who’ve been in nice nick within the league up to now, to take the lead within the second quarter. Within the nineteenth minute, Nathan Ephraums struck a splendid discipline objective fetching his staff a 2-1 lead whereas Blake Govers struck one other sensible discipline objective within the twenty first minute. The sport catapulted in Dragons’ favour in a span of simply two minutes.
However the Pipers bounced again within the third water when a vital video referral went of their favour with the third umpire awarding them a penalty stroke. Tomas, taking the strike, made no mistake in placing this previous Harte narrowing the objective deficit to 2-3. The following couple of minutes noticed each groups commerce PCs however their may convert.
The ultimate quarter was intense with the Pipers’ pushing to equalise whereas Dragons dearly held on to their 3-2 lead. An excellent video referral by the Pipers noticed them win their fifth PC of the match within the forty ninth minute. Tomas taking cost of the dragflick did properly with a strong strike however Harte was wonderful on the goalpost. Despite the fact that Jarmanpreet picked up the rebound from Harte’s save, he couldn’t put it previous him, lacking out on a golden likelihood to equalise. With somewhat over 4 minutes left, Pipers gained one other PC. Regardless of a re-award, they couldn’t take advantage of it. Whetton, enjoying a Captain’s recreation, fetched a vital PC for the Pipers within the 57th minute. However the likelihood went begging with Harte remaining the cynosure of Dragons’ defence and deservedly gained the Participant of the match award.
