HIL: Jackson' hat-trick fires Ranchi Rays to top

Mohali Captain Ashley Jackson successfully converted two penalty corners in the final minute to help Ranchi Rays beat Jaypee Punjab Wrriors 32 in a Hero Hockey India League match at the International Hockey Stadium here TuesdayAshley Jackson PicAshwin FerroWith this win in their final league game Rays went to the top of the pool standings with 35 points from 10 matches while Warriors have 30 points from nine matchesBoth the teams had reached the semifinals before this match along with Uttar Pradesh Wizards and defending champions Delhi WaveridersIn Tuesdays match home team Warriors started the first quarter aggressively and pushed Rays behind Warriors managed to earn their first penalty corner in the ninth minute and veteran dragflicker Sandeep Singh didnt give any chance to Rays Australian goalkeeper Tyler LovellWarriors coached by Barry Dancer got another chance in the 15th minute when they earned two backtoback penalty corners and they converted their second attempt to make it 20 Australian forward Kieren Govers took the first shot but was foiled by the goalie Australian defender Christopher Ciriello received the second shot and he sent the ball straight into the netIn the second quarter Rays improved their game and managed to keep the ball in their control The visitors kept charging on the opponents half and both the teams fought hard to dominate the quarterWarriors forwards SV Sunil Jake Whetton Govers and Affan Yousuf tried hard to create opportunities to score more goals but they faced stiff challenge from Rays defenders Kothajit Singh Birendra Lakra South African Justin ReidRoss and Australian Fergus KavanaghRays opened their account in the 26th minute when Jackson fired a grounder to reduce the margin to one to end the end the second quarter 12Rays continued to impress and improve in the third quarter They earned a penalty corner via striker Barry Middleton but defender Gurmail Singh snatched it away from Englishman JacksonIn the fourth and last quarter Warriors upped the ante and earned three backtoback penalty corners but Rays displayed their mettle and thwarted all the attempts Warriors Yousuf and Orchard mounted further pressure but Rays did not allow them to run freeTrailing 12 till the 59th minute Rays earned a penalty corner as South African Austin Smiths attempt at the goal was blocked Captain Jackson fired to the left side of goalkeeper Stockmaan to get the equaliserThe second goal lifted the morale of Rays and in a fierce counterattack Middleton was tripped inside the circle by Stockmaan that led to a penalty corner Jackson again rocketed it to the left of Jackson only to trigger bowandarrow celebration inside his campWith this hattrick by Jackson Rays defeated Warriors for the second time in this years editionWe are very happy to win our second match against Warriors This was still not our best game today They were on top of us for the large part of the game but we managed to come out on the winning side This shows the character that this team has got Jackson saidWe need to learn from todays match which will stand us in good stead for the semifinals We will work hard on all the areas of improvement so that we can give a solid display in the semifinals