The Hindu : Sport : Karnataka, Kerala triumph

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 21, 2005

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Sport - Sports : General

Karnataka, Kerala triumph

By Our Special Correspondent

The Kerala women's team which won the South Zone handball championship in Bangalore on Sunday.

BANALORE, FEB. 20. Karnataka snatched an exciting 21-17 victory over Andhra Pradesh and claimed the men's title in the South Zone senior handball championship, which concluded at Chikka Lalbagh courts, here on Sunday.

Andhra was also at the receiving end in the women's final league tie, losing to Kerala 11-25.

Karnataka made an aggressive start with Lisho Augustine setting the trend with nippy raids and sharp shooting. He along with Mathew and Prince John played with sound coordination and found holes in the rival defence at regular intervals. Augustine notched up six goals while Mecbi Mathew and Prince John contributed four goals apiece.

Andhra re-grouped well in the second session and Sai Teja Verma led the counter assault, which rocked Karnataka for a while, but couple of crucial defence lapses put the pressure again on Andhra, which wilted away in the end.

Teja Verma, however, emerged as the top scorer of the final with eight goals, while Pattabhi Rama Rao was the other main scorer for Andhra with three goals.

Karnataka thus topped men's five team round robin with an all win record while Andhra, with three wins and one loss finished as the runner-up.

In the women's section, Kerla quickly pounded AP into submission, after leading 18-5 at the break. M. Deepa tuned in a sparkling display for Kerala. She fired 12 goals.

Krishna Devika top scored for Andhra with six goals.

In the four team women's league, Kerala topped with an all win record, followed by Andhra and Karnataka.

Chief Minister, Mr. N. Dharam Singh, Education Minister, Mr. Ramalinga Reddy and Kannada cine star Ambareesh gave away the prizes.

The results (Round-robin):

Men: Karnataka bt AP 21-17 (Half-time: 12-6). Kerala bt Pondicherry 26-7 (HT: 14-5).

Women: Kerala bt AP 25-11 (HT: 18-5).

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