Bengaluru Bulls rode on an excellent defensive performance to snap their losing streak and beat Puneri Paltan 24-20 in the Pro Kabaddi League at Sonepat on Sunday. Kuldeep Singh marshaled the Bengaluru Bulls defence as they scored 15 tackle points and controlled Pune raiders, PTI reported.
It was a battle of defences and Bengaluru Bulls came out on top to record a victory at the Inter Zone Challenge Week. Bengaluru Bulls are now fourth in Zone B with 29 points from 13 matches. Puneri Paltan are also in the fourth spot in Zone A with 32 points from nine matches.
Bengaluru Bulls struggled to get into the game early in the first half as they trailed 0-4. In the seventh minute they forced a super tackle and Ajay Kumar scored the first raid point as they trailed 3-4. Puneri Paltan scored their fourth tackle point of the night as they led 5-4 after 11 minutes.
Bengaluru Bulls led 7-5 in the 15th minute but Puneri Paltan forced a super tackle to level the match. Umesh scored with a do-or-die raid in the 17th minute as Puneri Paltan led 8-7. Both teams defence did most of the scoring as raiders struggled to get points. Puneri Paltan went into the break leading 10-8.
In the first five minutes of the second half it was the defence of both the teams that did bulk of the scoring. Bengaluru Bulls trailed 10-11 after 25 minutes. Both the teams were tied at 12-12 after 28 minutes. Rohit Kumar scored just the fourth raid point for Bengaluru Bulls as they led 14-12.
Bengaluru Bulls inflicted the first all out of the match as they led 17-13 in the 30th minute. Deepak Niwas Hooda scored two raid points in two minutes as Puneri Paltan trailed 15-20 after 35 minutes. Kuldeep Singh attained a high five for Bengaluru Bulls as they led 23-16 after 38 minutes.
Puneri Paltan scored a couple of raid points in the last two minutes but it wasn’t enough as Bengaluru Bulls won 24-20.
Easy win for the Titans
In the second match of the day, the Telugu Titans cantered to a comprehensive 37-19 win against Haryana Steelers. The hosts were off to a good start as they sent the influential Rahul Chaudhari to the bench. However, the Titans regrouped even without their talisman and held a slender 12-8 lead at the break in what was a cagey first-half.
Mayur Shivtarkar or Wazir Singh had a forgettable evening for the Steelers. The lowly titans, meanwhile, went from strength to strength and widened the gap between them and their opponents.
