Puneri Paltan pipped UP Yoddha 34-33 in a close encounter in the Pro Kabaddi League at Chennai on Sunday. Yoddha mounted a strong comeback in the last 10 minutes but fell short by a point.
Deepak Hooda scored three super raids and ended with 16 points for Paltan. Sagar Krishna scored six tackle points for UP Yoddha and Rishank Devadiga contributed with nine tackle points.
Despite two super raids by Paltan, the match was keenly contested with both teams level at 11-11 after 15 minutes. The Paltans then inflicted an all out at the stroke of half time, where they led 18-14.
Deep into the second half, Yoddha made a spirited comeback and the Paltan side were unable to stem the onslaught. However, the latter did enough to take the game by a single point.
Pink Panthers down Thalaivas
Jaipur Pink Panthers saw off a late Tamil Thalaivas surge to win 27-26 in what was yet another thrilling encounter that was decided in the final minute.
Both teams scored equal number of raid and tackle points with the tempo that Pink Panthers set early in the second half proving to be decisive.
Ajay Thakur scored 13 points for the Thalaivas, waging a lone battle for his side but didn’t get enough support from his teammates. Thakur’s teammates had a day to forget as none of the other raiders picked up more than one point.
In the 37th minute, the Pink Panthers sent Thakur to the bench to lead 26-24, which saw the tide shift firmly in the inaugural winners’ favour.
Pink Panthers now have 43 points from 14 matches are now fifth in Zone A table while Thalaivas are bottom of the table with 33 points from 15 matches in Zone B.