Ranchi, Jan 16 (NationPress) The Ranchi Royals have further solidified their winning streak in the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL), clinching their third consecutive victory with a 4-1 triumph over JSW Soorma Hockey Club in their last home match of the season at the Marang Gomke Jagpal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium on Friday.

A double from Tom Boon (20’, 22’) along with strikes from Mandeep Singh (47’) and Manmeet Singh Rai (14’) propelled the Ranchi Royals to third in the standings. Jeetpal (52’) netted the sole goal for Soorma Club.

The match started with excitement as both teams aimed to set the tone early on. JSW Soorma Hockey Club earned their first penalty corner within the initial five minutes, marking the first scoring opportunity.

Despite three penalty corners in the first quarter, they were unable to penetrate Suraj Karkera, the goalkeeper for Ranchi Royals. Both teams made eight circle entries in the opening fifteen minutes, but it was the Royals who took the lead against the flow of the game as Sam Lane’s clever deflection reached Manmeet Singh Rai (14’). The midfielder deftly directed the ball into the net, giving his team an advantage at the end of the first quarter.

With a lead established, the Ranchi Royals gained confidence and began distributing passes to stretch the Soorma defense. They soon doubled their advantage when Tom Boon (20’) scored from close range after Lachlan Sharp’s initial shot rebounded to him in the circle. Boon then converted a penalty corner two minutes later, extending the Royals' lead to three goals as they dominated the game heading into halftime.

In the second half, Soorma Hockey Club controlled much of the possession, striving to gain momentum. They came close to scoring, but Joshua Beltz cleared the ball off the line, preserving the Ranchi Royals' three-goal lead. The hosts also created a few scoring opportunities, notably with a shot from Sam Lane during a third quarter they managed to control.

The Ranchi Royals sealed the match early in the final quarter when Araijeet Singh Hundal set up Mandeep Singh (47’), who rounded the Soorma goalkeeper before scoring a fourth goal, showcasing their dominance. With eight minutes remaining, JSW Soorma Hockey Club pressed hard and found the net through Jeetpal (52’), but it served only as a consolation as the Ranchi Royals concluded their home campaign with a third consecutive victory.