Pune: Bottom-placed Puneri Paltan salvaged some pride as they commenced the home phase with a well fought 33-28 win over Dabang Delhi in Season 2 of Pro Kabaddi League here on Sunday.
Veteran Jitesh Joshi and Sanjay Kumar with seven and six points respectively, including a bonus, were the architects of Pune’s win.
Sanjay in fact came up with a super raid that helped his side inflict an all-out in the 34th minute. That was after almost 30 minutes that Pune grabbed the lead at 28-24. Ravi Kumar shone in defence for the Punekars.
With this win the hosts tally goes up to 15 points with no change in their eighth position. For Dabang Delhi, Kashiling Adake was subdued and so was Rohit Choudhary. The five point loss meant Dabangs got one point to increase their tally to 27 points.
The first half belonged to Delhi as they scored the all-out in the 10th minute to lead 12-4. The half-time score stood 18-11 in their favour. It was Kashiling and Shrikant Tewthia doing most of the damage.
Kashiling had five plus a bonus with one two point raid. Shrikant had one super tackle on Sanjay and two defence points. Pune came back strongly on resumption to effect the all-out to narrow the lead to 16-19.
Jitesh and Sanjay helped Pune go ahead 25-23 followed by that super from Sanjay for the all-out. Thereafter Pune held on as Jitesh and Sanjay kept the score board ticking.
A two-pointer by Shrikant kept Delhi in the hunt, but three good catches by Sanjay, Ravi and for once Balamahendra Kalimuthu getting his grip right, the hosts sealed the match.
