PKL 2021-22: Puneri Paltan thrash Haryana Steelers 45-27, improve playoff chances

24 hours after a demoralising 26-43 defeat to Patna Pirates, coach Anup Kumar's Pune, riding on an all-round display, bounced back in style with a 45-27 win over Haryana to improve their chances of making it to the Season 8 Play-offs.

Young raider Goyat scored 12 points that included 2 tackle points, while defender Sombir registered 7 tackle points and all-rounder Aslam Inamdar scored a total of 8 points for Pune.

For Haryana, raider Ashish was the highest scorer with 8 points. Haryana had a poor day in both defence and attack with their usually reliable cover defence combination of Jaideep and Mohit also struggling.

PKL 2021-22 Points Table | Results | Fixtures

The result moved Pune into ninth position in the points table with 47 points from 17 matches. Haryana, meanwhile, remained in the third spot with 58 points from 19 matches, but there score difference took a huge hit following the 18-point loss.

The first half belonged completely to the team from Pune. Pune's youngsters approached the mat with no fear, and they dominated the Steelers in defence and attack. Mohit Goyat was the pick of the raiders, picking up points with ease and leaving Haryana's defence disoriented.

Paltan got their first ALL OUT in the 6th minute to open an 8-point lead. The Steelers staged a mini fightback with Vikash Kandola but Sombir produced a stunning Super Tackle to once again shift the momentum to Pune's side.

Pune's strategy was clear - tackle Vikash and then control the mat when the Haryana captain is in the dugout. He pulled off three perfect tackles in the closing minutes of the first half as Pune clinched another ALL OUT.

Haryana's much famed defence had just 1 successful tackle in the entire half. The first half ended with the scores 26-7. Haryana brought in Surender Nada and Rohit Gulia after the interval to add more steel to their team. But the changes made little difference as Pune kept attacking relentlessly.

Right corner defender Sombir picked up a High 5 as Pune clinched yet another ALL OUT in the 5th minute after the restart. The ALL OUT widened Paltan's lead to 25 points.
Nitin Tomar, playing a 'libero' defender role, initiated a few outstanding tackles as Pune's defenders refused to let Haryana raiders settle. Mohit Goyat also picked his Super 10 while Pune also gave 'showman' Rahul Chaudhari a chance to make a comeback after a long injury lay-off.

Haryana secured an ALL OUT with 2 minutes remaining but that made very little difference to the final outcome as Pune clinched an important win in their race for a playoff berth.