Both teams were in attacking mode in the opening spells of the game played at Budhanilkantha School, with Bridgewater having as many as three shots on target in the first 10 minutes. [break]
NR College goalkeeper Janardan Bhattarai, who was later adjudged the best goalkeeper of the tournament, denied Bridgewater with brilliant saves.
NR College was rightly rewarded as it opened the scoring through Puspa Tolocha´s thunderous strike midway in the second half. Bridgewater then went on to attack and was desperately searching for an equalizer. Bridgewater was denied a couple of times by some crucial saves by NR goalie.
When time seemed to be running out, Bridgewater finally made its efforts pay when Suman Paudel´s header came back off the post and into the feet of Ramesh Poddar, who drilled the ball past the NR goaltender.
The game then went to the penalties. Bridgewater´s Prabhat KC, Mahendra Roka and Ramesh Poddar converted their spot-kicks to win the title as none of NR´s penalty takers could convert their kicks. Ramesh Poddar scored the decisive penalty, which was followed by wild celebrations by Bridgewater supporters.
White House College was awarded with the fair play trophy. In the individual prizes, Prabal BK, Dil Bahadur Gurung and Shiba Thapa were awarded the best defender, best midfielder and best forward respectively.
Manish Karki with 4 goals to his name was awarded the highest scorer award. The player of the tournament was awarded to Bridgewater´s Sandesh Gurung.
Related story
Chitwan Football Club clinches title
