Maiden hockey title for Don Bosco girls

The victorious Don Bosco (Borivli) U-16 girls with their trophy at the MHAL Stadium, Churchgate, recently. Pic/Shabad Khan

Don Bosco High School (Borivli) emerged champions on debut, defeating fancied Guru Nanak High School (Sion) by a fighting 1-0 margin in the Smt KG Kalantari Cup inter-school girls U-16 knockout hockey tournament at the MHAL Stadium, Churchgate, on Saturday.

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Gritty girls
The Don Bosco girls, participating in under-16 hockey competition for the first time, played with plenty of grit and determination to smother the superior play of their opponents from Sion. Guru Nanak were well-organised and dominant throughout the proceedings. However, the Don Bosco girls rose to the challenge. The Don Bosco backline came up with some dogged defending after being under consistent pressure as they kept the rival attackers in check and under control. Guru Nanak earned four penalty corners, but failed to convert any, while Don Bosco, who were happy to play second fiddle, did well to score from the only penalty corner they earned.

Biana strikes lone goal
Biana Rodricks kept her cool and converted from the short corner in the 23rd minute to give her team the lead, which they hung on to till the final whistle to emerge champions. Earlier, in the semi-finals, the Don Bosco girls fought hard to overcome Durelo Convent (Bandra) 1-0. The lone goal was scored by Annalisa Almeida in the second half. In the second semi-final, Guru Nanak got the better of St Teresa's High School (Santacruz) 3-1 via the penalty shootout after the keenly- contested match finished in a goalless draw.