HIL 2025-26: Kane Russell hat-trick guides Governing Council to victory over Tamil Nadu Dragons

HIL Governing Council defeated Tamil Nadu Dragons 4-2 in the Hockey India League 2025-26 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Monday.

Kane Russell (14’, 33’, 47’), and Sam Ward (23’) scored the goals for HIL GC while Blake Govers (32’) and Uttam Singh (56’)  were the goalscorers for Tamil Nadu Dragons. 

Tamil Nadu Dragons started the first quarter strong as Tom Craig unleashed a powerful back-handed shot in the second minute, but it was met with a strong save by HIL GC’s goalkeeper James Mazarelo. Despite the strong start by the Dragons, it was HIL GC that dictated the play for the remaining quarter. In the sixth minute, Prasant Barla was through on goal as he took a close-range shot on goal but it was saved by Dragons’ goalkeeper David Harte. 

In the 12th minute, GC was awarded back-to-back penalty corners (PCs) but Russell and Manmeet Singh’s attempts on goal couldn’t reach the target. Two minutes later, GC won yet another PC and this time, the current leading goalscorer of the league, Russell (14’) did what he does best as he powered the ball into the net past everyone to score his seventh goal of the season and claim the lead. 

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GC continued to maintain its high line and pressed Dragons in its own half. The intense pressure paid off as Lalit Kumar Upadhyay demonstrated dribbling skills to beat his marker and carry the ball along the baseline as he eventually played the perfect pass to Sam Ward  (23’) in front of goal who dove in and tapped the ball into the net to increase GC’s advantage.

Dragons started the second half strong as it found its first goal from a PC which was successfully converted by Blake Govers (32’). However, the very next minute, HIL GC won three PCs in a row and despite the Dragons’ strong defence during the first two attempts, it couldn’t stop Russell (33’) for the third time as he scored his second goal of the evening.

Dragons did improve on its overall performance as it made some crucial circle entries but were unfortunate in front of goal. In the 39th minute, Dragons’ Thomas Sorsby showcased incredible 3D skills inside the circle to move in front of goal but his slap shot was saved by goalkeeper James Mazarelo.  

In the second minute of the final quarter, GC was awarded a PC as Kane Russell (47’) stepped up and delivered a powerful dragflick which swished past Dragons goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh’s head and into the net to claim his third hat-trick of the season. In the 53rd minute, Dragons was awarded a PC as Blake Govers took another good shot on goal but James Mazarelo made yet another brilliant save to maintain the lead for HIL GC. 

With four minutes left on the clock, Tamil Nadu Dragons reduced the deficit as Mohammed Raheel played an incisive cross from the left flank to find Uttam Singh (56’) who finished the ball into the net.  Despite 30 circle penetrations, Tamil Nadu Dragons could only score two goals which highlights the strong performance by the HIL GC defence. Dragons suffered its first loss of the season while HIL GC went on top of the table with 10 points.

Published on Jan 12, 2026