Ludhiana, November 30: All�s well that ends well, Manipur finished third in the overall tally of the Punjab National Games behind host Punjab and Services, having bagged 30 gold medals, 17 silvers and 18 bronzes, but in an upbeat mood thanks to the state�s women soccer players.

In the day�s work, Manipur rounded up one gold from soccer, three silvers (1 each from rowing, archery and judo) and two bronze (one each from handball and judo).

The favorites in women�s soccer from the start and holders of the event�s gold, the Manipur girls retained their top positions, defeating Punjab 3-2 in a scintillating final on the last day of the competitive section of the games at the Guru Govind Singh Stadium here this afternoon.

Playing in their light blue uniform a 30,000 strong audience, Manipur dominated the proceedings from the starting whistle, taking the lead in the very 12th minute with a goal by K Lokeshwori Devi neatly deflecting a flag kick by team captain L Chaoba into the Punjab goalmouth.

Manipur�s respectable cheering squad of students and IRB trainees at the Punjab Police Academy roared.

A fighting Punjab side however kept the Manipur forward in check and the score remained 1-0 at halftime.

After resumption of play, in the 37th minute of the game, Manipur struck again, this time by S Manitombi Devi who made no mistake heading home a cross from the right flank by N Geetarani.

Manipur increased the margin again in the 50th minute when N Geetarani slammed the ball into the net capitalizing on a pile driver from captain L Chaoba that hit and rebounded off the Punjab goalkeeper.

In a Punjab counterattack not long after, the Manipur goalkeeper was injured, after she dove for a ball during a goalmouth melee and was trampled by a number of Punjab players.

The coach however chose to have her in the play, perhaps confident victory was already in hand.

The team however almost paid more than it could afford when Punjab struck twice in quick succession unsettling the team and breaking its rhythm.

But they soon found their composure and defended their margin till the final whistle.

West Bengal got the bronze in the event.

Handball: In handball, also at Ludhiana, Manipur girls trounced holders Kerala 31-16 leading 12-7 at halftime in the playoff for the bronze.

Rowing: In the men�s 200 meters race, Sanjit Singh won a silver.

Archery: In the Olympic round archery team event, the Manipur women team of B Anjali, B Gita and Kh Bheigyabati Devi, finished second to win the silver.

Judo: In the 63 kg class, S Sanachanu won a silver, while in the 57 class Kh Bidyarani claimed a bronze.

Comment