Hockey meet: Central to meet holders Western for spot in final

Hosts Central Railways today set up a semi-final clash with holders Western in Sunday's all- Mumbai encounter at the All India Inter-Railway Women's Hockey tournament being held at the Mahindra Stadium, here.
The other semi-final, also to be held on January 12, would pit two north Indian outfits - Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala and Northern Railway - against each other.
Central, who were keen to avoid meeting their local rivals Western in the semis, slumped to a 0-2 defeat to RCF in their final league game today and failed in their bid.
Central goalkeeper Rajani's heroics helped them to keep their rivals at bay for almost 50 minutes. She even saved a penalty stroke from Anuradha Thokchom midway through the second half.

Thereafter, goals by Deepika Thakur (59th) and Anuradha Thokchom (61st) saw RCF through to the last four.
Western had it easy against North Central, whom they beat 11-1 through goals by Deep Grace Ekka (3), Anupa Barla (3) and Sangai Idehmal, Ashima Kispota, Ranjita Thokchom, Rujita Mallik and Manorama, who scored one goal each.

The losers scored through Shweta Vishwakarma.
Northern qualified with a 2-1 win over South Eastern, who led till the 59th minute through an own goal by their rivals.
Northern equalised through a penalty stroke conversion by Jasjeet Kaur. She then rounded off the tally with a minute left for the hooter.