Sturdy defence leads Telugu Titans home against Patna Pirates

Telugu Titans’ Corners, Vishal Bhardwaj and Abozar Mohajermighani picked up 11 tackle points between them to inspire Telugu Titans to a 35-31 win over Patna Pirates in Match 23 at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Pune on Friday. This win ensured Telugu Titans consolidated their position at the top of Zone B.

Telugu Titans started the game on a high as Anil Kumar got a thigh hold on the dangerous Pardeep Narwal in the game’s very first raid. Deepak Narwal was then held by Mohsen Maghsoudlou before Nilesh Salunke got the better of Vijay Kumar and Vikas Kale to put Telugu Titans 4-0 ahead.

Check out the photos from the match here.

Manjeet started the fightback for Patna Pirates with a bonus and touch point and was well-supported by Vikas Jaglan in defence to cut Telugu Titans’ lead to just one point. Patna Pirates then took control of the game through Manjeet to go 6-5 up in the 7^th minute. With momentum going their way, Pardeep Narwal inflicted the first All-Out of the night on Telugu Titans in the 11^th minute.

The game then swung like a pendulum with both teams exchanging points. However, late in the half, Mighani’s firm Ankle-Hold on Pardeep Narwal and Chaudhari’s quick touch on Jaideep in a Do-or-Die raid helped Telugu Titans reduce the 5-point lead and end the half 17-14 in Patna Pirates’ favour.

The second half began with both teams playing on the Do-or-Die raids. Chaudhari got success for Telugu Titans in the first Do-or-Die raid while Mighani held Pardeep by the ankle when he came in to raid to reduce the lead to just one point at 18-17.

With Patna Pirates staring at an All-Out, Vijay managed to keep the score ticking for them by going for bonus points before Telugu Titans finally had their All-Out in the 5^th minute to take back the lead at 22-21. Chaudhari then helped himself to 5 successive successful raids to increase Telugu Titans’ lead to 5 points.

Patna Pirates then started their comeback and they picked off 4 successive points to level the scores at 27-27 in the 10^th minute. Manjeet showed some defensive brilliance with an ankle hold on Salunke to put Patna Pirates back into the lead before Telugu Titans regained the lead in the very next raid with the game’s first Super Tackle inflicted by Bhardwaj on Pardeep. He also completed his High 5 with this tackle.

Visit the matchcentre to relive the contest here.

Manjeet once again levelled the scores at 30-30 before the two teams went on the defensive. Mighani showed some good presence of mind in the final minutes to ensure Telugu Titans took the lead and held on to it. He tackled Vijay in the final minute to lead his team to a 35-31 win. This also ensured he got his High 5; his third successive High 5 of the season.