Raiders Aslam Inamdar and Mohit Goyat scored 14 points together as Puneri Paltan recorded their first win of the season by beating U Mumba in a closely fought contest at the Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium here on Sunday. Captain Fazel Atrachali grabbed four points to help the Pune side win the match 30-28.
Inamdar chipped in with a couple of raids as Puneri Paltan took 5-4 lead in the sixth minute. Soon after, Mohit Goyat pulled off a multi-point raid and reduced U Mumba to three players on the mat. However, Guman Singh and Jai Bhagwan effected raids and helped their side stay in the game at 7-7.
Guman continued to showcase top form as the Mumbai side led at 9-7 in the 11th minute. However, the Puneri defenders fought back and regained the lead at 10-9. Thereafter, both sides traded points until Puneri managed to keep their noses in front at 14-13 at the end of the first half. Inamdar pulled off a fantastic raid in the opening minutes of the second half as Puneri widened their lead at 16-13.
Moments later, Goyat effected a raid which reduced the U Mumba side to two players on the mat. The Mumbai side were on the verge of getting ALL OUT, but Heidarali Ekrami carried out a brilliant raid to level the scores at 20-20 in the 31st minute.
{{/usCountry}}Moments later, Goyat effected a raid which reduced the U Mumba side to two players on the mat. The Mumbai side were on the verge of getting ALL OUT, but Heidarali Ekrami carried out a brilliant raid to level the scores at 20-20 in the 31st minute.
{{/usCountry}}However, Inamdar tackled Rinku and Surinder Singh soon after to help his side inflict an all out. Defenders Sanket Sawant and Sombir also stepped up their game as Puneri took a 27-20 lead.
Jai Bhagwan and Guman Singh fought hard for U Mumba in the last few minutes, but Puneri managed to hold on to their lead and eventually walked off the mat as winners.
(With PTI inputs)