Rourkela: Riding on a hattrick by Manoj Lakra, hosts Orissa defeated defending champions Madhya Pradesh 4-3 in a keenly fought final to win the 22nd All India Postal hockey tournament at the the Biju Patnaik hockey stadium here today.

Both the teams were locked at 1-1 at the interval.

S Thaijal Ali of Madhya Pradesh gave the initial breakthrough to the visitors in the 24th minute igniting jubilation in their camp.

However, their joy of was short lived as Lakra took the game away from the visitors scoring three goals in succession in the 28th, 39th and 44th minutes giving the hosts a 3-1 lead over the eight time champions.

Sadiq Noor of Madhya Pradesh scored the second goal in the 47th minute to reduce the margin before Vinay Bakle of Orissa further increased the lead scoring the fourth goal in the 65th minute.

A Pudia struck in the 66th minute to make it 4-3 but that was all Madhya Pradesh could manage.

Orissa s Luel Tirkey, mid-fielder, was adjudged the best player of the tournament.

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh trounced Punjab 4-1 to secure the third place.

Tag: ORISSA, PRADESH, HOCKEY, MADHYA PRADESH, MADHYA, MINUTE, TOURNAMENT, POSTAL HOCKEY, LAKRA, POSTAL HOCKEY TOURNAMENT, CHAMPIONS, INDIA POSTAL, HOCKEY TOURNAMENT, 4-3, GOAL, SPORT, HOSTS, S, VISITORS, PTI,