PSPB men defeated RSPB 3-0 while PSPB’s women scrapped past
RBI 3-2. With today’s triumphs, the PSPB men have claimed the championships for
the 14th occasion while their women have completed a dozen titles.
The PSPB’s men, comprising national champion Soumyajit
Ghosh, runner-up G. Sathiyan and an equally graceful Harmeet Desai, made it a
no-match against hosts Railways as even the most experienced Anirban Nandi was
unable to win a game. But it must be said to the credit of two Railways
youngsters—Ravindra Kotiyan and Noel Pinto—who managed to extend the likes of
both Ghosh and Sathiyan in their singles. In the third game, however, Nandi
saved three championship points before Desai shutting him out at 12-10.
PSPB men yet again proved they are a few notches ahead of
their rivals in institutional events and all other teams need to travel a long
way before they can even think of giving them a scare, let alone winning the
crown. The chasm, indeed, is too huge to cover.
However, the PSPB women’s team is somewhat losing its
domineering position since, for the first time, it relinquished the
top-pedestal place at Chhattisgarh when Delhi
women won their first senior national title. PSPB, afraid of trying out a new
combination, has been heavily banking on the experienced lot. But today the
think-tank almost paid a heavy prize for their over confidence when RBI’s
women, appearing in their first final, gave a scare. Thanks to Ankita Das, who
was patchy earlier, came good in the decider against a nervy Sweta Parte to
help PSPB retain the crown.
Krittwika too good
In her first singles, Ankita lost to Krittwika Sinha Roy in
straight games without putting up a semblance of fight. The experienced Mouma
Das, despite his visible struggle, overcame Sweta Parte to win her singles 3-2.
Mouma, normally a good fighter, was searching for the ball in the second
singles while Sweta was making most of the situation. Mouma, however, came to
her usual self and outwitted the RBI girl. K. Shamini, playing the third
singles, had no difficulty in putting it across Shruti Talnikar very quickly.
With PSPB leading 2-1, one thought it would be a cakewalk. But
Krittwika, who was too good, had other thoughts as she forced Mouma on the back
foot in reverse singles. In the fourth game, Mouma stretched her RBI rival to
the maximum, including saving three match points. But in the end, the RBI’s new
recruit had the last laugh when Mouma, failed to return Krittiwika’s serve.
They received and returned well against one another, indulged in excellent
placing, including sending the ball to the extreme left with scorching
forehands.
RBI may have lost the title narrowly, but taking PSPB the
full distance should augur well for the team. Additionally, they will now join
PSPB as the second team to have qualified for the senior nationals at Hyderabad in January
2016. Another first for RBI!
Earlier in the day, Dena Bank’s Youth Boys confirmed their
maiden team title after completing their league engagements.
RESULTS:
Men: Final: PSPB bt RSPB 3-0 (Soumyajit Ghosh bt
Ravindra Kotiyan 11-4, 13-11, 11-4, G. Sathiyan bt Noel Pinto 11-7, 13-11,
12-10, Harmeet Desai bt Anirban Nandi 11-5, 11-8, 12-10).
Women: Final: PSPB bt RBI 3-2 (Ankita Das lost to
Krittwika Sinha Roy 8-11, 7-11,7-11, Mouma Das bt Sweta Parte 11-8, 5-11, 11-5,
7-11, 11-7, K. Shamini bt Shruti Talnikar 11-7, 12-10, 11-5, Mouma Das lost to
Krittwika Sinha Roy4-11, 8-11, 12-10, 13-15, Ankita Das bt Sweta Parte 11-8,
11-7, 11-7).
TTFI Press release
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