Date:29/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/29/stories/2008122956491700.htm

Sport - Volleyball

Railways bags a double

Special Correspondent

— Photo: K.R. Deepak

QUEENS OF THE COURT: The Railways women’s team had an easy outing in the final of the National volleyball championship.

VISAKHAPATNAM: Railways achieved a grand double in the senior National volleyball championships at the Port stadium here on Sunday, with its men’s and women’s teams scoring straight-set wins over Tamil Nadu and West Bengal respectively in the finals of the 57th edition of the championships for the ONGC Cup.

The double followed similar triumphs in the 2005 and 2006 championships. This was the 24th title for the women’s team and 14th for the men’s team.

Making the difference

Experience made Railways’ task easy. The women’s final, which Railways won 25-15, 25-16, 25-12 was a totally one-sided affair lasting 57 minutes but a young Tamil Nadu men’s side which could boast of only one international in its side gave a good fight to the experienced Railways side though it lost in three sets in the 68-minute match. Railways won 25-21, 25-17, 25-21.

Railways used the short passes to perfection and captain G. Pradeep, P.V. Sunil Kumar and P.S. Srikanth came out with powerful smashes. V.M. Vijesh struck good form as the match progressed.

K.P. Shaheem and international M. Ukkara Pandian of Tamil Nadu stood out with their powerful smashes, while M. Naveen Raja Jacob proved himself to be a crucial man in the team’s attack.

Earlier, the women’s final saw Railways leading all through the match. The experienced team was well served by captain K.J. Shibi and Jhililata Sena in the attack and the latter was impressive in defence too along with Priyanka Bora and Minomal Abraham.

Vaishali retires

Meanwhile, Vaishali Phabtare, an international player from Maharashtra, called it a day after playing in 21 senior National championships.

The 35-year-old Vaishali, who played for Railways for the last 16 years, announced her retirement here on Sunday.

It was a fitting farewell for Vaishali as the Railways women and men won the championships after a gap of one year. During her 21 years in the senior Nationals, Railways won 13 gold and three silver medals and when she played for Maharashtra for five years she picked up a bronze.

Visakhapatnam MP and former Chief Minister N. Janardhana Reddy gave away the trophies and medals.

The results: Men (final): Railways bt Tamil Nadu 25-21, 25-17, 25-21.

Third place play-off: Haryana bt Services 20-25, 25-21, 25-18, 22-25, 15-12.

Women (final): Railways bt West Bengal 25-15, 25-16, 25-12.

Third place play-off: Kerala bt Karnataka 25-22, 25-17, 25-23.