indo-asian news service
New Delhi, Feb 17: Delhi Waveriders saved their best for the last as a solid team performance helped them thrash Kalinga Lancers 6-0 in the final pool phase match of HIL-IV at the Shivaji Stadium here Wednesday.
The win enabled the Waveriders book their place in the semifinal berth as they finished third in the six-team pool. In spite of losing Wednesday, the Lancers also booked their maiden entry into the semifinals in their third year by finishing fourth.
Field goals from skipper Simon Childs and Parvinder Singh and a brace from drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh helped the Waveriders earn a facile victory.
But the real star of the match was Waveriders goalkeeper Devon Manchester who once again maintained his form to help the hosts gain five points from the contest.
Both teams started on a slow note as the outfits were playing some risk-free and defensive hockey in the first quarter of the game. But the action really picked up in the second quarter. In the 16th minute, Lancers defender Gurjinder Singh pushed in a ball into the Waveriders’ penalty area, but it was saved Manchester.
This time on the counter-attack, the hosts managed to earn the first penalty corner of the match in the 18th minute. Rupinder did not disappoint and converted the chance by sliding the ball past the bottom right of Lancers goalie Andrew Charter. He again struck early in the third quarter to make it 2-0 for the hosts. A minute later Childs weaved his way past two defenders and beat Andrew Charter with a firm shot to make it 4-0.