Date:09/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/09/stories/2007060904211800.htm

Sport - Volleyball

C. Rly., KSEB in final

Special Correspondent

Chennai: Exchanges were as pulsating as the patterns on view much to the delight of the large gathering as the St. Joseph's-John Memorial all-India volleyball tournament cruised towards the final stages at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium on Friday.

The contestants for the final in the women's section were determined when Central Railway, playing a tight game when it mattered the most, eliminated Western Railway in straight sets.

Central will take on Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), which defeated Southern Railway by three sets to one.

Served well by setter Vaishali Phadtare and supported admirably by Priyanka Bora and Minu, Central managed to recover quickly from tight situations.

In the first game, Western conceded a 16-10 lead but managed to equalise at 20-20. Again in the second, Western, profiting from a good show by Shibi and Beinla, was comfortably placed at 17-13, but Central fought back to level at 20-20 and then went on to win to 25-22. In the third set, Central had everything its way.

Predictably, the other semifinal between Southern Railway and KSEB was much closer. The ease with which Southern Railway picked up points suggested a handsome win.

Good recovery

But KSEB recouped remarkably in the second. With Prijisha producing a handful of thundering serves and Ashwini coming up with timely finishes, KSEB smothered the rival challenge and won three sets in a row to establish its place in the final against Central Railway for the Kalimark Trophy.

Earlier, Indian Overseas Bank and Cochin Port Trust figured in a tense contest replete with thrilling rallies with the latter emerging winner in four sets. The defeat however did not affect the semifinals spot for IOB, which along with the host, Nellai Friends, had qualified from Pool `A.'

The results: Men: Pool `A': Cochin Port Trust bt Indian Overseas Bank 25-27, 25-18, 25-22, 26-24.

Women: Semifinals: Central Railway bt Western Railway 25-23, 25-22, 25-23; KSEB bt Southern Railway 9-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-21.