Ankur to take on Rajmata in Matoshree Chashak

Mumbai, Dec 26 (UNI) Rajmata Jijau (Pune) stormed into the finals, crushing the aspirations of favourites Shivshakti 24-10 in the Matoshree Chashak state level kabaddi tournament here today.

They will take on Ankur of the city, who won easily 36-23 against Veer Jijamata, who are also from the city.

Rajmata showed perfect coordination and team spirit with Usha Bansode and Archana Shinde conducting precise raids and then teaming with Kishori Shinde and Mohini Kapase to trap the dreaded raiding trio of Meghali Korgaonkar, Gauri Wadekar and Suvarna Bartakke. The shock treatment had its effect in the end. It totally demoralized an otherwise fighting outfit like Shivshakti.

Bharat Petroleum and Western Railway stayed on course for an expected title clash in the men's section. BPCL outclassed Air India 32-10 with Jitesh Joshi, Nilesh Shinde, Deepak Zhanzot playing lead roles to earn a semifinal meeting with MS Police.

The railmen brushed aside Raigad Police 29-11 and took on Bank of India who overpowered Railway Police 31-12. Vijay Jadhav the strongly built BOI raider was the mainstay of his team. With the first three quarter finals proving to be one-sided affairs it was left to Mahindras and MS Police to provide the thrills to a packed house and they didn't disappoint.

Both the teams were watchful in the first session as the scoreline of 6-5, suggested in favour of the police. The pendulum swung to and fro to record a 17-17 tie at the end of full time.

The tie-breaker too saw fortunes swing from 21-18 in favour of Mahindras to an exciting 23-22 win for the state cops.

Mahindras have to blame themselves for the defeat. They had the whole MSP team out to secure a 13-6 lead with a little over five minutes left. They then yielded ground to their opponents conceding three bonus points. Coming close 13-10 the policemen sensed an opportunity and their star raider Anil Patil went all out to put his side up 16-15 with two successful raids. Nitin Ghule pulled it back for Mahindras to make it 17-16. Mahindras thought they had won as time was up. But the policemen were allowed another raid and they scored to equalize and force the tie-break.

It was Anil Patil who then saw police through with a successful last raid in the tie-breaker.

RESULTS: Women (Q/F): Rajmata Jijau beat SuvarnaYug (Pune) 31-29 Ankur beat Dr. Shirodkars 33-25, Veer Jijamata beat Amar Hind Mandal 9-8 Shivshakti beat Shivai(Pune) 47-23.

UNI