08-Feb-2009 71
Manoj Lakra`s hattrick helped host Orissa win the 22nd All-India Postal Hockey Tournament, edging out last year`s champions Madhya Pradesh 4-3 in the final at the Biju Patnaik hockey stadium in Rourkela today.
With the win, Orissa put a full stop to the dream run of MP which was eyeing the title for the ninth time in a row. S Faisal Ali gave MP the lead in the 26th minute, but the jubilation lasted only two minutes as Manoj Lakra scored the equaliser for Orissa, converting a penalty corner.
Lakra struck his other two goals in the 39th and 44th minutes, while B Baxla (65th) completed the tally for the home side. S Noor and Aftab Uddin were the other scorers for MP.
Nuel Tirkey (Orissa) was awarded as the Player of the Tournament. Former hockey Olympian Michael Kindo was the chief guest of the closing function.
