Daijiworld Media Network - Ranchi
Ranchi, Jan 13: A brilliant hat-trick by Kane Russell guided HIL Governing Council (HIL GC) to a 4-2 victory over Tamil Nadu Dragons in the Hockey India League 2025-26 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium here on Monday.
Russell struck in the 14th, 33rd and 47th minutes, while Sam Ward added another goal in the 23rd minute for HIL GC. For Tamil Nadu Dragons, Blake Govers (32’) and Uttam Singh (56’) found the net.
Tamil Nadu Dragons began the match on an aggressive note, with Tom Craig testing HIL GC goalkeeper James Mazarelo with a powerful backhand shot in the second minute. However, it was HIL GC that soon took control of the proceedings, dictating play for most of the opening quarter. Prasant Barla came close in the sixth minute, but his close-range effort was saved by Dragons goalkeeper David Harte.
HIL GC earned back-to-back penalty corners in the 12th minute but failed to convert. Two minutes later, Russell made no mistake as he slammed home a penalty corner to give GC the lead. Maintaining intense pressure, GC doubled their advantage when Lalit Kumar Upadhyay set up Sam Ward, who dived in to score in the 23rd minute.
Dragons responded early in the third quarter as Blake Govers converted a penalty corner in the 32nd minute to reduce the margin. However, GC quickly restored their two-goal cushion when Russell struck again from a penalty corner a minute later.
Despite improved attacking play and several circle entries, Dragons were repeatedly denied by Mazarelo, who produced a series of fine saves, including a crucial stop against Thomas Sorsby in the 39th minute.
Russell completed his hat-trick early in the final quarter with a powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner in the 47th minute, marking his third hat-trick of the season. Dragons continued to push forward and were rewarded in the 56th minute when Uttam Singh converted Mohammed Raheel’s cross to score their second goal.
Despite making as many as 30 circle penetrations, Tamil Nadu Dragons could manage only two goals, highlighting the disciplined defensive effort of HIL GC. The defeat marked Dragons’ first loss of the season, while HIL Governing Council climbed to the top of the points table with 10 points.