KARACHI: Defending champions and formidable Wapda maintained their ascendancy imposing a 2-0 victory over archrivals Railways in the final to retain the title in the 28th National Women’s Hockey Championship at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium on Thursday.

By doing so, Wapda also emulated Railways feat of seven wins in-a-row thus making it synonymous with the department. Altogether, the latter had won the national titles 13 times.

Wapda, who topped pool A and brushed aside Army 3-1 in the semi-final the other day, netted a goal in each half.

Spearhead Mariam Sabir put her team in front by slamming a goal in 23rd minute while inside left Ambreen Arshad consolidated the lead scoring of penalty corner in 63rd minute.

After emerging pool B champions, Railways handed out a 3-1 defeat to Punjab Colours in semis on Wednesday. Despite their consistent run, the Railways, who was once a force to be reckoned with, failed to make amends to their previous losses.

“We have come here well-prepared to retain the title which we did by the grace of Allah despite vomiting and stomach ache problems to three players namely Ayesha Bashir, Nafeesa Anwar and Ambreen Arshad,” a jubilant coach of the team Sohail Ashfaq told Dawn.

Earlier, former champions Army retained their third position inflicting 9-1 defeat on Punjab Colours in the playoff.

Spearhead Shamshad Bashir caught the eye with splendid efforts slamming home five of the total nine goals — four in the first half in third, fourth, 19th and 27th minutes and one in second in 67th minute. Inside left Sahil Malik netted twice in 35th and 54th minutes while inside right Iqra Javed and right winger Ayesha Rafiq added one in 15th and 29th minutes to complete the tally.

Qurat-ul-Ain scored the lone goal for Punjab Colours in 29th minute.

The Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC), Riaz Hussain Pirzada, awarded the glittering winning cup to beaming Wapda players. The minister was flanked by PHF women’s wing chairperson Khushbakht Shujat, women’s wing secretary Tanzeela Amir Cheema, PHF secretary, Rana Mujahid, former Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui, Hasan Sardar, Iftikhar Syed, Shahid Ali Khan and Sindh Women’s Hockey Association secretary Syeda Erum Bokhari.

The ceremony was also attended by Prof Inam Ahmed, director colleges, Prof Dr Mansoob Siddiqui, director general, private schools and Pakistan Sports Board director general Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera.

Railways received the runners-up cup while Army took home the third position award.