HIL | Russel performs a hat-trick in HIL GC’s win over Tigers

For a drag-flicker, New Zealand’s Kane Russell is of average build – 5’9’’ and 82kg – but what he brings to the table is anything but average.

The 33-year-old produced a clinical performance at the SDAT-Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here on Wednesday, registering his second hat-trick in the Men’s Hockey India League. His mastery at penalty corners played a decisive role in HIL GC’s emphatic 6-3 win over defending champion Shrachi Bengal Tigers.

Later, Hyderabad Toofans fought back from being 0-2 down to script a 3-2 victory over Ranchi Royals. For HIL GC and Ranchi, it was their last league match in Chennai.

When forward Sudeep Chirmako smashed home a powerful forehander off an exquisite pass from captain Hardik Singh midway through the third quarter, HIL GC had surged to a handy 4-1 lead, and the Tigers’ chances of a comeback looked slim.

However, the defending champion struck twice in quick succession in the same quarter through its German recruits, Christopher Ruhr and Tom Grambusch. Grambusch executed a neat, textbook drag-flick past goalkeeper James Mazarelo before Abhishek’s withering forehand rebounded off the ’keeper’s pads and was swatted home by Ruhr.

Tigers’ territorial dominance counted for little in the end.
| Photo Credit:
R. RAGU

An energised Tigers continued to raid HIL GC’s defence with intent, earning four penalty corners in the third quarter alone, but the HIL backline stood rock-solid. Russell showcased his drag-flicking prowess once again, unleashing one past goalkeeper James Carr to put the contest beyond Tigers.

The first quarter belonged to Tigers as they notched up eight circle penetrations and duly opened the scoring through Jugraj Singh’s penalty-stroke. HIL GC equalised soon after when Russell’s drive from the 23-metre line was deftly deflected in by Sam Ward, who, with his back to goal, caught the goalkeeper by surprise.

Russell began his penalty-corner magic by scoring twice, one each in the second and third quarter, enabling HIL GC to establish a commanding 3-1 lead.

In the end, for all the Tigers’ territorial dominance – 34 circle penetrations to HIL GC’s 16 and 14 penalty corners to HIL GC’s four – it counted for little.

The results: HIL GC 6 (Sam Ward 19, Kane Russel 19, 36, 44, Sudeep Chirmako 38, James Albery 59) bt Shrachi Bengal Tigers 3 (Jugraj Singh 12-PS, Christopher Ruhr 40, Tom Grambusch 40-PC).

Hyderabad Toofans 3 (Amandeep Lakra 42-PC, Nic Woods 45-PC, Talwinder Singh 57) bt Ranchi Royals 2 (Tim Boon 11-PC & 17).