The powerful Ranchi team which dominated the final throughout, took the lead when its centre forward Sushma Kiran Minj fired a goal in the 22nd minute. Chandigarh, who had won their previous games by big margins, began with a defensive approach which cost them dearly as they lost ground due to complacency at the start.

Combining speed, skill and energy, the Bihar team consolidated the lead when Prem Sheila Kujur converted a penalty corner in the 37th minute. Minj, who was adjudged `Geeta Bajaj best player of the tournament,' again found the target from the edge of the `D' in the 42nd minute.

Skipper Anita Ekka provided able support in the frontline, striking a pass from Guddi Kumari into the nets in the 58th minute.

The Bihar outfit was in its element as it not only displayed a brilliant combination of aggression and skill but also scored which their Chandigarh counterparts could not. Chandigarh's star campaigner Prakash Chaudhary, who scored five goals in the semifinal, was not able to capatalise on good moves as she found near absent support from teammates inside the rival penalty area.

The winners received Rs 50,000 as prize money while the runners-up got Rs 30,000. Coaches of the two finalists were awarded Rs 8,000 and Rs 5,000, respectively. Indrabati Singh (Birsamunda), Savita Singh (Ishwar Singh Devi), Sada Anjum (Govt Adarsh) and Amrita Minz (Ranchi) were declared the best four players of the tournament. Sushma Kiran Minz of the Ranchi school received Rs 2501, instituted by Jasdev Singh in memory of Geeta Bajaj.