Despite missing a couple of scoring chances, Jharkhand managed to dethrone defending champions Orissa by a solitary goal and win the 35th Junior Women's National Hockey Championship in Bangalore on Saturday.
The winning goal was scored by Jharkhand skipper Asuntal Lakhra, who successfully converted a penalty-corner in the 78th minute.
Jharkhand thus avenged the defeat they suffered last year in the final.
Jharkhand started on a confident note, guarding their citadel well. They also displayed a higher degree of coordination among the midfielders and forwards and kept Orissa on tenterhooks as the teams played out a barren first half.
Jharkhand finally managed to convert a penalty-corner in the second half. They forced four penalty-corners.
Orissa earned eight penalty-corners, but could not cash in on them. They also messed up some good scoring opportunites.
Orissa custodian Poonam Toppar bagged the best goalkeeper award.
