Jaypee Punjab Warriors was crowned Hockey India League (HIL) champions as they clinched their maiden title after thrashing Kalinga Lancers 6-1 in a lop-sided summit clash. The Punjab-based side were third time lucky as they had finished runners-up in the last two editions. They lost to Delhi Waveriders in 2014 and to Ranchi Rays last year. The Warriors, who had finished second in the round-robin league phase, totally dominated the final match of the fourth edition of the tournament at the Astroturf Hockey Stadium.

The Warriors were clearly the dominant team in the first half of the match, keeping possession and regularly playing in the Lancers’ half of the pitch. Lancers’ skipper and two-time Olympic champion Fuerste of Germany showed his class in the 24th minute when he managed to put the ball past Warriors goalie Clemons Tristan to make it 1-2 for the Lancers, who qualified for the knockouts for the first time in the HIL. After that the Warriors become unstoppable.

Earlier in the day, 2014 edition winners Delhi Waveriders defeated last year’s champions Ranchi Rays 2-0 in the third place match.