Australian Glenn Turner struck twice as Kalinga lancers beat Ranchi Rays 4-2 in an entertaining match of Hockey India league here on Monday.
Turner scored in the 44th and 50th minutes while Sarvanjit Singh pulled one back for Ranchi Rays in the 53rd minute.
Played in front of a vocal and partisan home crowd, there was no doubt that this top of the table clash was going to be dished out with pace and skill and the teams did not disappoint the spectators at the Kalinga Stadium.
Both the sides raced out of the blocks at a frenetic pace, attacking each other constantly, almost without a break from hooter to hooter.
While the pattern continued into this quarter with both teams constantly rushing at each other looking for opening, it was interesting to see how Kalinga lancers' top scorer from last season Glenn Turner was constantly marked by at least three Ranchi Ray's men at any given time.
But the lanky Australian forward was relentless. He attempted a penetration in the 43rd minute and earned a penalty stroke for his team, thanks to a sloppy tackle by a Ranchi Rays defender.
Turner made no mistake in converting the stroke as he fiercely put one past Tyler lovell to give lancers the much-needed 2-0 lead.
Turner struck again for Kalinga lancers in the 49th minute when he converted a remarkable field goal that came off a rebound.
It was not the end of the action though as Ranchi Rays made a late comeback in the 53rd minute when Sarvanjit Singh scored a field goal to make the score 4-2 but it was not enough to stop the hosts from ending the match in Kalinga lancers' favour.