As many as 28 goals were scored in a total of four matches, with formidable Chandigarh leading the show with a flattering 9-0 verdict against little known Mahakoshal, while Tamil Nadu indulged in target practice against lowly Rajasthan scoring at will to record a thumping 7-0 win.

The fast and nippy Manipur girls set the trend with a 4-0 walloping of Maharashtra, with its star forward Ningombam Inakkhunbi scoring all the goals, and Uttar Pradesh routed Vidarbha 7-1, before Chandigarh and Tamil Nadu following suit with resounding wins.

However, the inaugural function lost some gloss and sheen as the formidable Indian Railways, the defending champions, failed to take part in the traditional march past. Much to the shock of the organisers, it even did not not make it to the coach and manager's meeting.

In groupB, Uttar Pradesh, which hardly faced any resistance, warmed up for the future encounters as they found Vidarbha at its mercy and led 4-0 at the breather.

Neha Singh and Priya Singh, both grand daughters of hockey legend Gyan Singh, and Mridula Kesarvani, scored a brace each, while medio Moni Sonkar accounting for the other goal.The lone consolation for Vidarbha came from the stick of Karuma Bhaisare, who scored in the fag end of the match.

Later Chandigarh had a much more easy time against Mahakosha. Almost each and every sally into the rival area produced a goal. Medio Iqbal Kaur slotted home the first goal, before Sunita Dalal, Bharti, Mamta and Poonam played their part scoring a brace each.

J Lavanya drew first blood for Tamil Nadu in the fourth minute and even before the celebrations subsided, P Kaushalya came up with another goal two minutes later.

The TN girls tended to relax and only at the stroke of half-time did they increase the lead through ES Geetha. In the second half, Kaushalya scoredtwice in the space of five minutes before Lavanya and Mecklish completed the rout.

RESULTS