PKL Season 6: Haryana Steelers failed to capitalise on home advantage

The Haryana Steelers were not able make their home advantage count in front of a sold out crowd at the MNS Rai Stadium, Sonepat. As the raucous crowd cheered on, the Steelers could not replicate their performance from the opening game at the home leg, losing by a significant margin of 45-27.

Puneri Paltan climbed to the top of Zone A after their win today. Vikash Kandola put a solid all-round performance for Haryana Steelers and scored 11 points.

Home team Haryana Steelers lost their second consecutive game at their home ground. Whereas after a close defeat against Dabang Delhi K.C., this match proved to be a morale booster for Puneri Paltan before going to their home leg.

It was an evenly contested affair in the first few minutes of the match, both teams were tied at 5-5 after seven minutes. Puneri Paltan then shifted gears with Nitin Tomar getting into the act. Tomar scored three points in two raids as Puneri Paltan inflicted an all out to lead 13-7 after 12 minutes.

While Nitin Tomar and Rajesh Mondal kept scoring raid points their defense was successful in keeping Monu Goyat away from the game. Puneri Paltan trailed Haryana Steelers by 8 points as the score was 19-11 at halftime.

The second half started with Nitin Tomar scoring raid points. From Haryana Steelers, it was Vikash Khandola who showed extreme efforts by grabbing 11 points. But Puneri Paltan defense was too impressive with Akshay Jadhav and captain Girish Ernak both scored High 5.

With all this, Puneri Paltan got Haryana Steelers all-out for the third time at the 18th minute of the second half. And then comfortably beat Haryana Steelers 45-27.

Nitin Tomar grabbed 9 raid points whereas raider Akshay Jadhav got the most 6 tackle points. Girish also picked High 5 with 5 tackle points. Vikash Khandola tried hard and scored a Super 10 with 11 raid points.

Haryana Steelers defense was in shambles as they managed only 4 tackle points. Puneri Paltan managed 16 tackle points, which also included 3 all-outs. This deficit in the tackle points made the difference between the two teams and Puneri Paltan with their all-round performance marked win over the Haryana Steelers.