KARACHI, Sept 23: Spearhead Rifat Mehdi slammed first hat trick as holder Railways opened their title defence campaign overwhelming Karachi Whites 22-0 in the 21st National women’s hockey championship, at the Hockey Club of Pakistan (HCP) Stadium on Friday.

Mehdi was on a goal scoring spree contributing eleven of the total 22 goals four in a row, in the 34th, 42nd, 44th and 45th minutes to register a hat trick, as Railways led 12-0 at half time.

Her other goals came in the 1st, 7th, 10th, 20th, 29th, 50th and 55th minutes.

Salma and Sanam Yousuf shared six goals amongst themselves. Ishrat netted twice while Shahida Perween (PS), Erum Bokhari and Sabeeh Mahmood scored one goal apiece.

In an earlier match, Lahore Colours brushed aside Quetta Whites 3-1.

The winners led 2-1 at breather.

Amina Khan drew first blood for Lahore by netting through a field effort in 12th minute.

The lead was, however, short lived as three minutes later Ruqia neutralized it off a penalty corner.

Amina Mir again put Lahore in front by converting a penalty corner in the 21st minute.

On resumption, Quetta Whites kept their opponents at bay for most of the time conceding just one goal.

Amina Khan scored her second goal in the 53rd minute to seal the fate.

In the third match of the day, Karachi Colours inflicted 10-0 defeat on Hyderabad. The winners enjoyed 3-0 lead at half time.

Sehrish top-scored with three goals while Asia, Seema and Ghazala netted two goals apiece.

Ambreen completed the tally for the winners.

The Karachi Colours- Hyderabad match marked the formal opening of the 11-day competition.

With the exception of Army, Wapda and Bahawalpur, the remaining 11- teams took part in a march past.

Saturday’s fixtures: Wapda v Quetta Colours at 10.00 am; Sukkur v Bahawalpur at 4.00 pm