Jaypee Punjab Warriors continued their fine form and defeated Uttar Pradesh Wizards 3-2 in a keenly-contested league match to register their second consecutive win of the third Hero Hockey India League, here today.
The Warriors scored a goal each in the first three quarters of the match through Varun Kumar (12th minute), SV Sunil (28th) and Sandeep Singh (42nd), while VR Raghunath (7th, 53rd) converted two penalty corners for the visitors.
By virtue of this win, the Warriors have consolidated their position at the top of the standings with 12 points from three games, while the Wizards have garnered three points from two matches.
But the Wizards were the dominant side on display in the opening quarter and took the early lead when Raghunath converted a penalty corner.
The Warriors replied back five minutes later through Varun's penalty corner conversion to end the first quarter locked at one goal apiece.
The Warriors, who were playing before thin home crowd and under biting cold conditions, were slow to get off the blocks.
But they fought hard in the subsequent three quarters. Sunil scored a fine diving backhand goal past Wizards goalkeeper PR Sreejesh to give his side the edge at the halfway mark.
