PKL 2019 | UP Yoddha continue winning streak at home; beat Puneri Paltan 43-39

The first half began with the home team inflicting an All-Out in the fifth minute of the match. The trend continued as Rishank Devadiga, Monu Goyat and Surender Singh picked up easy raid points against a Pune defense that lacked cohesion.

 In the defense captain Nitesh Kumar picked up four points for UP in a first half that saw the home side inflict another All-Out with three minutes remaining for the break. The first half ended 29-15 with UP on top.

Puneri Paltan started the second half with a much better attitude and got their rewards immediately when Manjeet’s two touches fetched them an All-Out in the third minute. Puneri Paltan’s efforts to mount a comeback were successful with the margins reduced to 6 points, Pune tightened their defense, to match UP Yoddha move for move.  

UP’s Nitesh Kumar secured his High 5 in the fifth minute of the half but both teams failed to open up a healthy lead. Surjeet Singh and Amit Kumar picked up High 5s for a massively improved Pune defense as they levelled the points with under 3 minutes left in the match. 

Rishank Devadiga managed a two-point raid in the penultimate minute of the match and the home side followed it up with a successful tackle on Nitin Tomar to open a three-point lead. Amit Kumar’s successful two-point raid in the last minute gave UP a lead and they went on to seal the match from there.