In a spirited farewell to their season, the Ranchi Royals delivered a commanding performance to defeat the final-bound SG Pipers 5-2 in their last league match of the women's Hockey India League (HIL). The match, played in Ranchi, was a dead rubber for the Royals, who had already missed out on a final berth, but they showcased their potential with a clinical display in front of their home supporters.
A 'What If' Performance in Ranchi
Speaking before the match, Ranchi Royals midfielder Neha Goyal had pointed to the lack of a consistent drag-flicking threat as a key reason for the team's failure to qualify for the final. This made their performance against the Pipers all the more poignant. The Royals, formerly the Odisha Warriors who won last season's title powered by Dutch star Yibbi Jansen's penalty corner expertise, finally found their scoring touch from set-pieces in this inconsequential game.
The home team finished the tournament in third place, with this victory serving as a testament to their underlying quality. For the SG Pipers, who had already secured their spot in the championship match, the loss was a minor setback ahead of the final.
Match Highlights: Royals Dominate Fourth Quarter
The Royals seized the initiative early, earning a penalty corner within the first minute. Lucina von der Heyde converted it in the 2nd minute, her flick taking a deflection to beat the Pipers' goalkeeper. SG Pipers responded swiftly, with captain Navneet Kaur scoring from close range in the 10th minute to level the score.
The second quarter saw end-to-end action, but it was the Royals who regained the lead. Sangita Kumari, left unmarked inside the circle, fired home in the 24th minute to make it 2-1 for the hosts at halftime.
After a goalless third quarter, the Royals exploded in the final period to seal the win. Von der Heyde struck again from a penalty corner in the 47th minute, showcasing the very drag-flicking prowess the team had missed earlier. Hannah Cotter then put the result beyond doubt with two late field goals in the 55th and 60th minutes.
The Pipers managed a consolation goal through Navneet Kaur's second strike of the night in the 58th minute, completing her brace, but it was too little, too late.
Key Takeaways and Tournament Finish
The match summary saw goals from Lucina von der Heyde (2', 47'), Sangita Kumari (24'), and Hannah Cotter (55', 60') for the Ranchi Royals. Navneet Kaur (10', 58') scored both goals for the SG Pipers.
This victory allowed the Ranchi Royals to end their HIL campaign on a high note, giving their loyal home fans at the Ranchi stadium a memorable send-off. While the season ended with questions of 'what could have been,' the dominant win over a finalist team proved the Royals' capabilities. The SG Pipers will now regroup and focus their energies on the upcoming final, aiming to put this league-phase defeat behind them.
