In a repeat of the inaugural season’s final, Rajputana Royals began the defence of its Archery Premier League title in style, beating Prithviraaj Yodhas 5-3 in the opening match of Season 2 at the People’s Plaza on Thursday.

Compound archers Ojas Deotale and Ella Gibson led the way for Royals at the start, with Mete Gazoz giving good support. After a slow start, Abhishek Verma-led Yodhas bounced back and came close to taking the match into a hit-or-miss shoot-off before Mathias Grande shot only an eight with the final arrow.

The second contest of the night saw Mighty Marathas suffer a collapse against Kakatiya Knights. Marathas won the first two sets before losing the next two and then stumbled in the shoot-off.

Nico Wiener and Neeraj Chauhan nailed the inner X-ring in the shoot-out after Marathas, who paid the price for substituting out Dhiraj Bommadevara for the final two sets, let slip a 4-0 advantage.

In the final match of the night, Chero Archers defeated Chola Chiefs 5-3. Archers took the first set but Chiefs fought back to level the match 2-2.

In the final set, Chikitha Taniparthi and Rajat Chauhan couldn’t apply the early pressure on Archers as they dropped a couple of 9s. Archers saw their compounds give them the perfect start. Casey Kaufhold with the penultimate arrow made it tricky but it didn’t matter in the end.

Earlier, India’s Asian Games medallists were felicitated by Vakiti Srihari, Telangana’s Sports Minister, A.P. Jithender Reddy, Telangana Olympic Association president, and APL director Anil Kamineni.

The results: Rajputana Royals bt Prithviraaj Yodhas 5-3 (75-69, 73-74, 77-77, 76-75).

Kakatiya Knights tied with Mighty Marathas 4-4 (73-76, 74-77, 75-66, 77-70). Knights won 2-0 on shoot-off.

Chola Chiefs lost to Chero Archers 3-5 (69-74, 71-70, 75-79, 73-73).